Elisa Longo Borghini claims second edition of women’s Paris-Roubaix

The Italian champion made a solo break for glory in the race known as ‘The Hell of the North’

Trek-Segafredo's Italian rider Elisa Longo Borghini celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the second edition of the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic cycling race, between Denain and Roubaix, in the Roubaix Velodrome in northern France (AFP/Getty)

Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini won the second edition of the women’s Paris-Roubaix after a solo raid of more than 30 kilometres.

Longo Borghini attacked in a cobbled sector after catching a breakaway group of three and never looked back as her Trek Segafredo teammate and compatriot Elisa Balsamo was disqualified for taking an illegal tow from her team car while chasing back after a puncture.

Looking barely troubled by the cobblestones, Longo Borghini, twice a bronze medallist at the Olympics and also in the world championships road race, had victory virtually in the bag after the Carrefour de l’Arbre – the last demanding cobbled section.

The 30-year-old crossed the line in the Roubaix Velodrome 23 seconds ahead of Belgian Lotte Kopecky, who had blown the race open with a brutal acceleration with 52km to go.

Team SD Worx rider Kopecky, winner of the Tour of Flanders two weeks ago, headed a six-woman sprint behind Longo Borghini to finish second ahead of the Italian’s Trek Segafredo teammate Lucinda Brand of the Netherlands.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Longo Borghini. “I had been feeling unwell for a month and could not perform the way I wanted. But the team trusted me and told me I could do it.”

Marianne Vos, cycling’s most decorated woman, did not start the 124.7km classic, known as ‘The Hell of the North’ after testing positive for Covid-19.

Last year’s winner Lizzie Deignan, also a Trek-Segafredo rider, was not competing as she is expecting her second child.

The men’s race will be held on Sunday.

Reuters