Despite a string of fierce attacks, Lidl-Trek's streak at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda could not be broken on Sunday, Elisa Balsamo sealing her third victory in the Italian Classic.
The former world champion, defending her Binda title, was the fastest in a bunch sprint to the line in Cittiglio.
Her victory marked her team's fifth in a row, and came after long-range bids from Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) and Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) were staved off by the bunch.
"I’m speechless. Honestly, it was one of the hardest races ever for me. The last two laps were crazy," Balsamo said at the finish line. "I’m happy. My teammates did a great job. It’s always so nice to win in Italy, and at this race, so it’s a perfect day.”
In the closing metres, Balsamo reacted to a sprint from Cat Ferguson (Movistar), who was making her WorldTour debut at 18 years old. The Brit eventually placed an impressive third, behind Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and Balsamo.
"I really like this race. I know every single metre of the race," Balsamo said. "Today, a lot of friends and all my family were there. They were pushing me on the last climb – every 10 metres there was someone. I’m so happy."
How it happened
It would take almost an hour and a half of racing before the first attacks came in Italy. Entering the finishing circuit – which the peloton would complete six times – a 13-rider group sprung clear, led by former world champion Lizzie Deignan (Lidl-Trek).
The breakaway’s charge lasted until 32km to go to the line in Cittiglio. At that point, its last remnants were reeled back in, triggering a two-rider counterattack, which ended up being short-lived.
Heading into the final lap, Van der Breggen opened up a gap over the peloton. The Dutchwoman’s move would end up triggering the cream to rise to the top; Longo Borghini followed shortly afterwards, setting off responses from Vollering, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) and eventually Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike).
Again, though, the leaders were caught by the bunch, and everything came back together with 11km to go.
With one final kicker before the finish, Longo Borghini would not be deterred. Winner of the race in 2021, the Italian champion attacked again with 8km remaining, drawing out a six-rider lead group that also contained Vollering.
Their advantage stretched out to a handful of seconds, a leash that proved too short to break away. The attackers were swallowed up in the melee of the impending sprint, set on an uphill drag to the line, where Ferguson kicked through the pedals from distance.
Would it be a dream season opener for the teenager? Almost. But the experience of Balsamo, the fastest finisher on the day, brought the winning edge.
Results
Trofeo Alfredo Binda 2025 (152km)
1. Elisa Balsamo (Ita) Lidl-Trek in 4:00:19
2. Blanka Vas (Hun) SD Worx-Protime
3. Cat Ferguson (GBr) Movistar
4. Marianne Vos (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike
5. Letizia Paternoster (Ita) Liv AlUla Jayco
6. Noemi Rüegg (Sui) EF Education-Oatly
7. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck
8. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita) Liv AlUla Jayco
9. Kim Le Court (Mus) AG Insurance-Soudal
10. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) UAE Team ADQ, all at same time
Pfeiffer Georgi (Picnic PostNL) was relegated from 5th to 16th.
