Elisa Longo Borghini became the first Italian to win the Giro d'Italia women's title since 2008, 16 years ago, when five-time Giro d'Italia winner Fabiana Lupellini last won the title, and compatriots Maria Canins, Roberta Bonanomi and Michela Fanini added their names to the list.

Longo Borghini, the reigning Italian champion, says it took an entire team effort to step up as overall champion, having competed in 13 Giro d'Italia women's events, reaching the podium twice in 2017 and 2020.

"I think we did great as a team today. Everyone gave their all to bring home the maglia rosa. My teammates were great too. Longo Borghini said.

Her team for the Giro d'Italia women included Gaia Rialini, who finished third overall last year, Lucinda Brand, Lizzie Deignan, Brody Chapman, Lauretta Hansson, and Elisa Balsamo. He also thanked his partner Jacopo Mosca for his support.

"This victory is for my teammates, for the team at Lidl Trek, for the whole team, for the staff, for everyone who works day and night for us. And also for my husband, who has always believed in me," said Longo Borghini.

Longo Borghini has held the Maria Rosa since winning the first stage time trial in Brescia, leading the race from Volta Mantovana, Toano, Urbino, Foligno, Chieti, and the top of the iconic Blockhaus.

Before the eighth and final stage, Longo Borghini was just one second behind Kopecký in the overall standings, and it was questionable whether she could hold off the world champion on the final day to L'Aquila, where time bonuses are awarded at the finish.

"They said Kopecky would outperform me, but I had a one percent chance, only one second to win, and everyone on the team was super motivated to keep Maglia Rosa and keep the leader," said Longo Borghini.

"I like the thrill, I like the adrenaline when you fight for one second. I like to go head-to-head, I like to race to the end. When I see the finish line, it looks red as a bull and I want to go straight for it. I was nervous today in a very good way and I was determined to beat you [Kopecky] no matter what.

"I wanted to finish in Maglia Rosa to show that I am the strongest and that Lidl-Trek is the strongest team. I wanted to make the race harder and eliminate some of the SD-WORX riders.

Lidl-Trek and Longoborghini executed a perfect race plan. Kim Lecourt (AG Insurance-Surdal) took the stage win ahead of Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) and Franzi Koch (DSM-Filmenig Post NL).

Longo Borghini accelerated and spurted in the last kilometer to finish fourth, 21 seconds ahead of Kopecky, with Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM) third overall by 1:16.

The Giro d'Italia women's victory capped a career that saw Longo Borghini win the Tour de Flanders, the Trofeo Alfredo Binda twice, Strade Bianche, Paris-Roubaix, and overall wins in the Women's Tour and UAE Tour.