Elisa Longo Borghini's secret to success: Think less, ride like there's no tomorrow

 Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) pictured in action during the second edition of Paris-Roubaix
Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) pictured in action during the second edition of Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: Getty)

When Elisa Longo Borghini is asked how much last-minute thinking was involved in launching her race-winning attack in the 2022 edition of Paris-Roubaix, 34 kilometres from the line, she has an answer that’s very simple and very complicated at the same time.

"Zero. Nothing," she tells Cyclingnews. "At the precise moment that I attacked, I simply said to myself: 'OK, see you all in Roubaix.' In my head, I was just thinking - I want to win this race."

Alasdair Fotheringham

Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The IndependentThe GuardianProCycling, The Express and Reuters.