Italy Claimed Its First-Ever Mixed Relay World Title in Montreal
Italy claimed its first-ever mixed relay world title at the 2026 World Championships in Montreal, holding off France and Switzerland on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Filippo Ganna anchored a powerful men’s trio to set up the victory, which Elisa Longo Borghini and her teammates secured over a total 40.6-kilometer course.
Filippo Ganna Narrowly Missed Out on an Individual Title Earlier in the Week
Italy finally captured the rainbow jersey in the mixed team relay after years of coming close. Following multiple podium finishes in past editions of the discipline, the Italian squad put together a flawless performance across the 40.6-kilometer course running from Montreal to Montreal. The victory delivered a measure of redemption for Filippo Ganna after he narrowly missed out on an individual title earlier in the week when he zondag andermaal op een supersonische Remco Evenepoel botste.
How Italy Built the Winning Lead in Montreal
The foundation for the gold medal was laid by the men’s trio of Mattia Cattaneo, Filippo Ganna, and Matteo Sobrero. Operating as a powerful motor at the front of the race, the three riders drove the team to the top spot at the intermediate changeover.
From there, the women’s lineup of Vittoria Guazzini, Elisa Longo Borghini, and Monica Trinca Colonel took over the effort. They not only maintained the advantage but extended the gap over defending champion Australia, leaving trailing nations with too much ground to make up in the final stretch. Elisa Longo Borghini ging zo fel tekeer op de oplopende finish dat Monica Trinca Colonel moeite heeft om het wiel te houden, maar ze snelde mee naar een tijd van 51’32".
The Final Chase: France and Switzerland Complete the Podium
Behind the Italian squad, France claimed the silver medal, finishing just 8 seconds behind the winners after a strong late push from their female riders. Switzerland took the bronze medal, though their campaign carried a lingering sense of what might have been after losing Stefan Küng early in the opening phase.
The Swiss men were forced to continue as a duo for much of the early running. Although Marlen Reusser and her teammates mounted a fierce comeback in the closing kilometers—clawing back significant time on the difficult finish—the deficit proved too large to overcome, leaving the Swiss 19 seconds off the winning pace.
Meanwhile, outgoing titleholder Australia struggled with setbacks, including mechanical trouble for Georgia Baker, and ultimately fell out of the medals into fourth place behind Germany in fifth.
Elisa Longo Borghini, Matteo Sobrero, Mattia Cattaneo and Filippo Ganna React to the Victory
Reactions From the New World Champions
For veteran rider Elisa Longo Borghini, who has claimed three third-place finishes in the individual road race throughout her career without ever wearing the rainbow jersey, the victory marked a long-awaited milestone.
‘I am very happy, of course. It is a nice honor to race with this team, we have chased this rainbow jersey for a long time. I think it is a nice discipline, so I am overjoyed.’ Elisa Longo Borghini
Matteo Sobrero emphasized the collective effort required to finally break through after multiple near-misses in previous years.
‘It is really cool. We have been close often, every time. Finally we have that first place. We all deserve it, it is nice.’ Matteo Sobrero
Mattia Cattaneo also highlighted the contributions of past Italian squads and teammates such as Edoardo Affini.
‘It was a very difficult course, but we have shown in previous years that we are a strong team. Not only the people who are here, but I also think of people like Edoardo Affini and the other ladies. We have tried often, and finally it worked out.’ Mattia Cattaneo
Filippo Ganna, reflecting on his disappointment from earlier in the week, noted the emotional weight of the team victory.
‘We have suffered a lot, we have spent a lot of time in the Mixed Relay and won a lot of medals, but never that rainbow jersey. It is the first for us, it is a special honor.’ Filippo Ganna
Monica Trinca Colonel, the 27-year-old climber, shared her amazement at securing her first medal. Vittoria Guazzini added that the team had discussed tactics and where they could gain time.