It was another outstanding sprint from the Italian rider to take victory on stage six
Elisa Balsamo’s amazing run of form continued on stage six of the Giro d’Italia Women where she took another emphatic sprint victory. On a hot day in Veneto, the Italian star began the day wearing the red sprinters’ jersey as the leader of the points classification and was the favourite to cross the line first in Brescello. Lidl-Trek’s aim for the day was to keep the peloton together for a bunch finish so that the 28-year-old could, once again, show her speed, but their rivals did not make it easy for them to control the race.
The early four-rider breakaway was caught with 50 kilometers to go when the peloton began to split in the crosswinds. Balsamo and the team’s general classification leaders, Isabella Holmgren and Niamh Fisher-Black were well-positioned at the front of the bunch during this dangerous moment and were attentive to any gaps opening up until the peloton regrouped. After a few late attacks, the final 10-kilometres was a fierce battle to the finish town when the roads began to get small and technical. Fleur Moors and Lucinda Brand did an impressive job keeping Balsamo towards the front of the bunch until it was time for the former world champion to make her move. As she has throughout this Giro so far, Balsamo timed her sprint to perfection and took the stage victory by over a bike length ahead of her closest rival. It was her fourth win of this Giro d’Italia and continues an outstanding run of form for the whole team.
Photo: Anouk Flesch
In the winner's words
When you have the best lead-out in the world, it’s just easy. I mean, it’s never easy, but with Lucinda, I don’t have to fight for position. I just need to trust her, and I know she’s the best one. So, this victory is more on her than on me, honestly.
A lot of sprinters thought it was a really good opportunity today. I could see a lot of full lead-outs in the last kilometres. Fleur, Lucinda, and I were just jumping, and at one point we found the perfect place behind Fenix-Premier Tech.
This morning on the bus, we said that we want to take the corner at 1.3k in the front. I don’t care if I’m in second position because I just want to be safe and then I can manage somehow. But Lucinda was just so strong that she brought me to 200m to go, it was perfect.
