After a tough, attritional race, the Italian sprinter showed her class in the final sprint thanks to a strong lead out from her team
There is no more apt a welcome to the Belgian Classics season than rain, wind and cobblestones. The women’s edition of Ronde van Brugge on Thursday duly delivered with some of the toughest conditions seen so far this year: 143-kilometres of hectic racing through crosswinds and hailstones. Our women’s squad were well represented at the front of the peloton throughout the one-day race, protecting sprinter Elisa Balsamo as well as taking their chances when the moment was right. Lauretta Hanson made a promising, strong attack over the cobbles midway through the race, before the peloton regrouped ahead of the final sprint.
Despite chaos and nerves in the closing kilometres, Lidl-Trek stayed calm and waited for the right moment to bring Balsamo to the front. Clara Copponi and Fleur Moors chose the left side of the road, protected from the wind, and brought their fast finisher to the head of the race. As they passed under the flamme rouge, before it was time for Balsamo to unleash her turn of speed. The former world champion produced an impressive sprint to eventually finish second to Movistar’s Carys Lloyd – it was Balsamo’s best result of this season so far and gives the team plenty of confidence as we continue into the rest of the Classics week.
Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images
Balsamo's view from the race
It was different than expected because we were really hoping for wind to try to make an echelon, but then it was not windy enough. It was sunny, then cold, then raining, then even hailing. In the end, everyone was freezing. As a team, we really took care of each other and the leadout was really good. In the last moment, it was a little bit closed and I couldn’t start my sprint when I wanted, so I had to wait a little bit and it was a bit too late. But anyway, this start of the season was not the best one so I am happy to be back on the podium at an important race.
I have confidence for the rest of the Classics not only for myself but for the team. If I think back to how the team was moving today and taking care of each other, it was amazing, so I’m really happy.
Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images
