Balsamo back on the podium: third place at Giro d’Italia

Everything suggested that today, at the Giro d’Italia, it would be a challenge between sprinters, and the expectations were met. Despite attempts to spoil the party for the fast wheels, the peloton arrived in Volta Mantovana all together for a massive, fast and furious sprint.

The winner was Consonni (UAE) ahead of Kopecky (SD Worx), but perhaps the happiest note came from Elisa Balsamo, who was able to place third. An important result considering that the recovery from the heavy crash at Vuelta a Burgos has seen Elisa put in many hours of training, but only two days of racing, including yesterday’s time trial.

“It was nice to be back into the fray,” explained Elisa, who enjoyed the embrace of her teammates at the finish line. “For me it was like a test, the first sprint after the crash. On a mental level you never know how you can react, moreover in a sprint with a complicated finish like today. Everything went well, I’m happy, it was a good third place but, above all, it was an important sign for my confidence.”

“I had to fight today to keep the right position in the bunch and I managed it well. Lizzie and Lucinda, in particular, gave me a big support until the last kilometer, then I managed the positioning myself. When you have the Maglia Rosa to protect, there’s obviously a compromise for the sprinter and I couldn’t expect to have a train to keep me out of trouble. Their contribution, however, was really valuable.

“The finale then was very fast, even before the flamme rouge. We covered the last climb very fast. I’m happy with how my legs responded, how I held the first positions without any trouble. We were expecting attacks but I think all the sprinters in the peloton, considering the lack of chances in this Giro, didn’t want to let the opportunity slip away. Congratulations to Chiara [Consonni], she did a great sprint and showed great condition. Now, we wait for the next challenge.”