The 48th edition of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda-Comune di Cittiglio took place in ideal conditions for cycling, with a picturesque start from Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca and a route that skirts the coast before turning south towards the Bedero Valcuvia and Orino climbs from Caldana.
The competitors were put to the test, particularly on the final circuit, which was repeated five times and covered 17.7km, including some significant climbs such as Casale and above all towards Orino.
Lidl-Trek’s Elisa Balsamo won this edition brilliantly, but the course also highlighted the solidarity and strategic efficiency of our team throughout the 140.5 km race. Evita Muzic’s performance in particular was remarkable, especially when she joined the main breakaway on key climbs.
The race got off to a flying start with Clara Emond (EF Education Cannondale) quickly taking the lead, although she was caught by the peloton with sixty kilometres to go. Jade Wiel (FDJ-SUEZ) also tried a daring escape with forty-one kilometres to go, but was caught before the climb to Casalzuigno. The climb saw an acceleration from Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), quickly followed by Niamh Fisher-Black (SD Worx Protime), illustrating the intensity of the competition.
Towards the end, Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance – Soudal Team) increased the pace on the final climb, pushing Neve Bradbury and Mareille Meijering (Movistar) a few metres ahead. However, it was on the descent to the finish that Elisa Balsamo got the upper hand, overtaking Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx Protime) in a breathless final sprint where Kopecky had launched her effort from too far back.
This edition of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda not only tested the solidarity and strategy of our team, but also confirmed our competitiveness on the international stage, promising exciting prospects for the races to come.