Longo Borghini delivers poetic Roubaix win

The Italian champion invoked Dante's Inferno as she tasted paradise at the 'Hell of the North'

- Vern Pitt

Rarely are 14th century Italian poets invoked in press conferences. It's usually staid comments about the legs feeling good or having faith in one's team. It was different on Saturday, as Elisa Longo Borghini spoke eloquently about one of the biggest victories of her career.

Speaking about the experience of riding Paris-Roubaix for a second time, and this time winning, the Italian said: “It's like going through the Dantesque hell and then being in the paradise." Riding on hard cobbles in the dust might well fit in as one of the punishments in Dante's Inferno, but Longo Borghini conquered the pavé, attacking from over 33km out to solo to victory in the end, in a race she revealed that she wasn't supposed to ride. She always had faith in her move, however.

"If you don't believe in your attack you never win," the Trek-Segafredo rider explained to the press.

"It was pure instinct actually," Longo Borghini said. “I saw the breakaway was caught, and I thought it was a good move to be on the front, and put Lucinda in the best position to follow wheels, and make SD Worx chase me.

“Therefore, I just went full from there on. I can't believe it."

Roubaix is just the latest title to be added to her palmarès, which also contains a win at the Tour of Flanders, two Trofeo Alfredo Binda victories, and Strade Bianche.