A gutsy third place for Elisa Balsamo at Tre Valli Varesine

After Elisa Longo Borghini's solo success in 2022, Lidl-Trek secures another podium finish at the Italian race.

The shining smile of Elisa Balsamo put an end to the Lidl-Trek women’s team season. This is the image of Lidl-Trek in the last race of 2023, Tre Valli Varesine, in which the Italian took third place behind Lippert (Movistar) and Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) after a gutsy ride.

I always race to win, but today I can also be happy with third place. I put an end to a very complicated season in a nice way. The crash in May was a difficult moment to overcome, but I got up stronger and now I'm here, still on the podium. Yes, I am proud of what I have done in these months. And for that I can only smile today

Elisa has many reasons to be happy with today’s podium, first of all for the performance she showed on the Italian roads. The 2021 World Champion did a very courageous race, showing how strong is her character.

When the race got into full swing, with an aggressive breakaway, including Gaia Realini, leading at 40km from the finish, Balsamo kept cool had and saved as much energy as possible. Once this attempt was neutralized, the decisive selection came after pressure applied by Lippert and Uttrup Ludgwig. And it was there, on the climb, that Balsamo decided to try. Elisa, a sprinter by nature, without too many calculations tried to follow the two climbers. The chasers were almost brought back, but a determined Balsamo pushed on and, together with Barale (who went on to finish fourth), the duo arrived at the finish line in Varese ten seconds before the group.

Balsamo’s reaction

The season ends on a positive note, and that was needed. Racing in Italy is always special for me, I feel huge warmth from the people. Looking back to how the way the race went, third place is a satisfying result. Lippert won with great merit, she was the strongest today, but I tried to have my say.

The course was hard, and the pace picked up very early. The intention to have a hard race was clear. The climb in the final circuit, done seven times, was definitely the hardest part, but the really crucial point was perhaps the descent towards Varese. Me forcing on the final climb was an attempt to follow Lippert and Uttrup Ludwig and to gain an advantage on the peloton. The plan worked well. The final kilometers were like a time trial together with Francesca Barale. I went all in for a small sprint and that happened. At the end… well, sprinting is still my speciality and the thing I love the most!

The 2023 chapter is closed. Now I’ll enjoy a holiday to start the 2024 season with more and more ambitions.

Tre Valli Varesine Womens 2023 - 3rd Edition - Busto Arsizio - Varese 112,2 km - 03/10/2023 - Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (DEN - FDJ - SUEZ) - Liane Lippert (GER - Movistar Team) - Elisa Balsamo (ITA - Lidl - Trek) - photo Alessandro Perrone/SprintCyclingAgency©2023

Tre Valli Varesine womens race 2023 - 3th Edition - Busto Arsizio - Varese 112,2 km - 03/10/2023 - Elisa Balsamo (ITA - Lidl - Trek) - Elynor Backstedt (GBR - Lidl - Trek) - photo Tommaso Pelagalli/SprintCyclingAgency©2023

Tre Valli Varesine womens race 2023 - 3th Edition - Busto Arsizio - Varese 112,2 km - 03/10/2023 - Elisa Balsamo (ITA - Lidl - Trek) - Elynor Backstedt (GBR - Lidl - Trek) - Gaia Realini (ITA - Lidl - Trek) - photo Tommaso Pelagalli/SprintCyclingAgency©2023