The 32-year-old rider from Lidl-Trek had a one-second advantage over Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime at the beginning of the day, but Longo Borghini managed to hold off the Belgian to win the Maglia Rosa for the first time.
In a sprint, Mauritius’ Kim Le Court defeated Franziska Koch and Ruth Edwards to win the 117-kilometer stage from Pescara to L’Aquila.
In the general classification, Longo Borghini, who had won the Maglia Rosa in the opening stage, finished fourth overall, 25 seconds behind Kopecky in second place.
Neve Bradbury of Australia, competing for Canyon/SRAM, trailed third by a further 55 seconds.
To retain the Maglia Rosa and the leadership, everyone on the squad was extremely driven, according to Longo Borghini.
“Everyone on the squad performed fantastically. Thank you so much; everyone was really dedicated.
“I will need some time to realise what I’ve been doing.”
World Road Race Champion Kopecky won the Maglia Rossa, and fellow countrywoman Justine Ghekiere of AG Insureance-Soudal won the Maglia Azzurra, or climber’s jersey.
