After winning Trofeo Binda last Sunday and Classic Brugge - De Panne, Balsamo came agonisingly close to a perfect week after finishing second in Wevelgem
Unlike the men’s edition, the women’s Gent-Wevelgem was decided by a bunch sprint in which Elisa Balsamo missed the victory by less than half a wheel. Despite the race coming down to a sprint, it was a far from straightforward race with echelons, splits and attacks throughout the 171km course.
The first significant action came on De Moeren, when the crosswinds ripped the peloton apart, only for it to reform shortly afterwards. Things heated up again on the first ascent of the Kemmelberg when Kopecky launched an attack, which Elisa Longo Borghini and Elisa Balsamo were able to bridge across to after the descent. Each climb brought more attacks, but each time they were neutralized, especially through the work of Shirin van Anrooij and Ellen van Dijk, whose return to the Team was greatly appreciated.
It came down to a sprint in Wevelgem. Elisa Balsamo launched her sprint from the slipstream of Wiebes, and for a split second edged ahead of her, however the Dutchwoman was able to return after a well-timed bike throw to clinch the top spot on the podium.
Speaking at the team bus, Elisa Balsamo said “We just spoke with the team and debriefed. We actually did a really good race. My teammates did a great job. It was a good sprint but I just missed for a little bit. For sure I wanted to win, but also second place it good. I know that next week will be really hard, but we will fight to get revenge.”
