Strong ambitions and big goals: Lidl-Trek is ready for the challenge on the Italian roads
Eight tough, hectic, and unpredictable stages will be the battleground of the 2024 Giro d’Italia Women. Tomorrow, Sunday 7th July in Brescia, the adventure will begin with the final act on Sunday 14th July in L’Aquila.
Lidl-Trek will line up with an experienced and super valuable roster that includes Elisa Balsamo, Lucinda Brand, Brodie Chapman, Lizzie Deignan, Lauretta Hanson, Elisa Longo Borghini and Gaia Realini.
Without doubt it’s a strong team that makes clear big a goal the Giro d’Italia is for the team, led by team directors Ina Teutenberg and Jeroen Blijlevens.
“We have everything we need to aim for stage wins and for the general classification,” explains Ina Teutenberg. “Looking to the course, it’s going to be an interesting Giro. The opening ITT is, right from the start, a key day for the general classification. There are four difficult stages to follow, not super hard but definitely hectic and with tricky finishes where we can never let our guard down. These will be good opportunities to try to sprint with Elisa or, perhaps, seek glory with a breakaway.
“The last three stages will be the decisive ones for the GC. The queen stage on Saturday, with the double climb to Blockhaus, will be the most important day. But the last day must also be held in high regard. It will be anything but a procession. I expect a hard-fought Giro to the last kilometer and we will be ready to play all our cards” says Ina.
The goal of being on the final podium, achieved by Realini last year with her third place, or even dreaming of the maglia rosa, will be the prerogative of Longo Borghini and, indeed, Realini. A team play strategy – the trademark of Lidl-Trek and the basis of many of the Team’s successes – may be the key to beating the competition.
For stage hunting, Balsamo is definitely a strong contender. She made her return to racing at the national championships after a bad crash in May at the Vuelta a Burgos and now the goal is to regain confidence.
Deignan, Brand, Chapman and Hanson are, last but, of course, not least, a concentration of quality and experience with few equals in the peloton. Their versatility will be an added value to support the team GC ambitions and to play an active role in the hunt for stages.
