On March 17, 2024, Elisa Balsamo had already won two stages at the Valenciana and the week before she had finished second at the Ronde Van Drenthe. Lorena Wiebes had arrived in front of her and had even left her behind. For this reason il Trofeo Binda it represented the final test in view of the Northern campaign which would open in four days in De Panne.
Already two years earlier, the Cittiglio race had become the benchmark for the Piedmontese's career Since the Tokyo Olympics, she had been working harder on the road than on the track. Her sports director, Arzeni, commented that she now had the skills to win that very race, despite Balsamo having changed teams in the meantime. 2021 had been bitter for the Tokyo experience, but exhilarating in the finale with the victory of the World Cup in Leuven. For this reason, when Elisa showed up at the finish line in Cittiglio with her arms raised, showing everyone her rainbow jersey, the feeling of having found a complete champion took hold and never went away.
The challenge with Kopecky
On March 17, 2024, it was said, on that same finish, the rainbow jersey was worn by Lotte Kopecky, winner of the title in Glasgow. The Belgian from Team SD Worx was led by victory at Strade Bianche and Danilith Nokere Koerse. It seemed like he would have taken a bite of Binda too, but he hadn't done his sums correctly.And so when Elisa Balsamo, aided by Shirin Van Anrooij, managed not to drop on the Orino climb, overconfidence and great experience collided in the very long sprint. The Belgian in fact started very long, convinced that she had the legs for that uphill straight. Balsamo instead took the wheel and jumped out in time to see the other one bowing her head.
The test went perfectly. He would soon win in De Panne, except to suffer the Wiebes law in Ghent and Kopecky's Revenge in the Roubaix velodromeThe world champion didn't take long to even the score.
One lap too many?
Elisa wasn't at the Strade Bianche. This time Binda will be the final step that will launch her towards Sanremo which according to many it was made for her, but also for Lotte Kopecky, Wiebes and all the strongest in the group. The difference compared to last year's Binda is the sixth lap of the final circuit which brings the kilometers to 152 and will make the race slower. In any case, Over the last three seasons, Balsamo has won, finished second, and then won again.
«I'm very happy to take part in the Binda – she says – I'm now quite fond of this race, because In recent years, good results have always arrived, for me and for the team (between his two victories, in 2023 Van Anrooij's came, ed.). So it will certainly be an important race for my season. I have to say that this year they added an extra lap, so the altitude difference has increased And for me, that's not exactly positive news. But the goal is to go with the team and try to bring home the best possible result."
Binda and Sanremo
Sanremo is too tempting a draw to divert attention. It did not go unnoticed the inspection done with Ilaria Sanguineti (we would find it strange not to see next to Balsamo in the Lidl Trek the Ligurian athlete who piloted her in the most beautiful sprints). Therefore, in the same way in which she ran the world championship supporting Elisa Longo Borghini, we wouldn't find it too strange to see Balsamo in the service of some companion.
«I certainly know that I'll have to hold on up the climb – he says returning to Binda – because there will be many strong athletes who will want to attack to avoid a narrow sprint. However, I think that for me Cittiglio will also be a good testing ground for the Sanremo, which will be run the following week. That's why I think it's a really great race. Preparation is going well, and I'd say that with Binda we're starting a period with the most important races of the first part of the season. I'm happy to have reached this point and I can't wait to participate."
