CITTIGLIO – We expected a show capable of telling us What can we expect next week at Sanremo Women's cycling? and so it was. The gray clouds that yesterday obscured the team presentation in Luino today were threatening spectators of a beautiful and exciting race. At the finish line of the Trofeo Binda It's cold, with a chilly breeze coming down from the newly snow-dusted mountains. The day began with great enthusiasm, and the large crowd that gathered at the start to embrace the athletes left them with the knowledge that today would be a great show. The organization, led by Mario Minervino, he did his part to add even more spice. Despite everything, the final verdict does not change compared to last year, the Binda is won by Elisa Balsamo in sprint.
We arrive at the press room, next to Cittiglio station, with long shadows and the sky still bright with cloudless patches. The thought that remains in our heads is that we have experienced a preview of what will be the script at the Sanremo Women's cycling, the hope is that it can be like this. However, the surprise was left to us by the sprint with which Elisa Balsamo achieved her third success in the last four years at the BindaA sprint on a slightly uphill straight, done with control and without a grimace. The other contenders for the Sanremo have been warned.
«Today was certainly a confirmation of the work done and of our condition "—says Balsamo as he looks down on us from the press conference stage—"This certainly makes me very happy. But I think the Sanremo will be a different race because the difference in altitude is all concentrated in the finale."
With closed eyes
For the first time in its history the Binda Trophy exceeded 150 kilometres, the fearsome final circuit was scheduled to have an extra lap and this changed the game. The sprinters had to withstand a series of attacks and grit your teeth so as not to lose ground to those who tried to make a difference on the climbs.
«I have to say that we used the best possible tactics – continues the 2021 Leuven world champion – Lizzie (Deignan, ed.) was in the breakaway so we never had to pull. I was always covered, my teammates always made me take strategic points in a good position to try to save my energy. In the last two laps I just went flat out. I couldn't do anything else."
Sanremo appetizer
The brawl over the last thirty kilometers has opened the doors to ideas and debate on how the Sanremo will be run.The climb of Orino, with its 2,5 kilometres at an average gradient of 5 per cent, was a good taste of the views that will open up on the Cipressa and on the knoll. Elisa Longo Borghini and Demi Vollering they tried to create a vacuum several timesWhile on the descent it was Van Der Breggen who pulled away for a moment.
«Today was a great passage before the Sanremo – explains the sprinter of the Lidl Trek – to get the confirmation I was looking for. The route will be different from today's, but I understood that the condition is good, this encourages me. After his debut at UAE I worked hard at home at the Tour and at the Valenciana (in which he took two stage victories, ed.). I completed a three-week period of great training and everything I did, suffering, repaid me."
«I knew I couldn't follow the attacks of Vollering and Longo Borghini – says Balsamo – but I could keep up my pace and stay as close as possibleThen when a sprinter sees the finish line she always comes back to life and in those 200 meters I gave it my all."
«Next Saturday – concludes Balsamo – there will be attacks on his side of the Poggio, I'm sure. Today was the dress rehearsal but at Sanremo the decisive climbs will be two, so I don't think there will be much wait and see."
Longo's analysis
The great condition of Elisa Balsam allowed her to stay together with the best, however the thought that the attack failed at the right time remains with us and still accompanies us as we write. Vollering and Longo Borghini set the pace early and perhaps they lacked the energy to make the right move in the final lap.Elisa Longo Borghini seemed to be in a state of agony; the Italian champion couldn't stay seated, her saddle seemed to be on fire. At a certain point, we stopped counting the attacks, but we're sure the fingers of one hand wouldn't have been enough.
«We wanted to play an attacking match – Longo confirmed once she got off the bus – and I also had a bit of a desire for redemption after the Strade BiancheI knew I was fit and wanted to prove it. Today was a final test before Sanremo, and I'm very satisfied. I also think that the attitude during the race was the right one.It's going to be a tough race. Even though I think it's going to be a very difficult race, even today, despite the strongest riders trying to make a difference, we still finished with a narrow sprint. It's going to be beautiful to watch and very exciting."
