Ahead of the return of women’s Milan-Sanremo after a 20-year absence, the peloton is buzzing with excitement, anticipation, and tactical uncertainty. The historic occasion, combined with the unpredictable nature of the 156-kilometre route from Genoa to the famous Via Roma finish, has heightened the significance of the event for riders, teams, and experts alike as no-one is quite sure how it will all pan out this Saturday.
Elisa Balsamo motivated by history and meticulous preparation
Fresh from her impressive win at Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek is among the top favourites and understands the significance of winning the revived edition of Milan-Sanremo Women. “I think [having a women’s Sanremo] is a big achievement,” said Balsamo. “Honestly, in the last five years, we were really fighting for a full calendar and now I think we miss only a few races and this one is a really important one. Everyone wants to win on Saturday because you can be in the history winning Sanremo, especially after 20 years without the race, so, I think it’s going to be a big fight.”
Balsamo emphasised that the key climbs, Cipressa and Poggio, would be decisive, and noted the importance of teamwork: “I think there will be also attacks on the Cipressa. There are a lot of strong teams and strong climbers and classics riders, so I think Cipressa will be really hard from the bottom to the top. Then on Poggio, for sure, they will attack. I think we really need to ride as a team because it’s possible to come back in between Cipressa and Poggio.”
She has benefited from the intimate local knowledge provided by her teammate Ilaria Sanguineti, a native of Sanremo, who has trained regularly on these roads. Balsamo highlighted how invaluable Sanguineti’s input has been: “She trains here practically every day, and above all, she gave me advice also for the descents. She practically knows every single hole of the descent of the Poggio, and therefore, she gave me suggestions where to pay attention, especially in case of rain.”
The advice from Lidl-Trek sports director Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, herself a former Primavera Rosa rider, has also been crucial in preparations. “We are lucky to have Ina with us,” said Balsamo. “She was riding with us today and yesterday. I think she can give us important feedback in the climbs. She was a really, really strong rider, and she said that she really believed that we can survive on the climbs.”
Emotional return for Shirin van Anrooij
Lidl-Trek also welcomes back Shirin van Anrooij, who makes her first appearance since surgery for iliac artery endofibrosis. Her comeback is earlier than expected, but Van Anrooij is thrilled at the opportunity: “I am sure everyone will be as surprised as I was to find out that I will be racing Sanremo Women on Saturday but, I don’t think anyone will be (or can be) as excited about as I am about it. It’s earlier than we expected but my recovery has been going super well so this doesn’t feel rushed.”
She further explained the emotional importance of her return at Milan-Sanremo: “It’s incredible to be part of this special moment for the modern women’s peloton and, honestly, last year I could not have imagined being here. I have really been reminded of how much I love cycling, and I know, even though it’s going to be hard, I will enjoy every moment of the race on Saturday.”
Lotte Kopecky eager despite uncertainty around form
Two-time World Champion Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime specifically chose Milan-Sanremo for her season debut. Despite uncertainty around her form, Kopecky is excited by the race’s profile: “It’s a race that I like the most on the men’s calendar, especially the final. I only know it from TV, but it is a really nice climb. With the descent afterward and a flat finish, it gives opportunities for a lot of riders, and it is a nice race for our team.”
She acknowledged that coming off altitude training, there remains uncertainty about how she’ll perform: “It’s difficult to predict how I will feel on Saturday. That’s always the case at your first race. I just returned from altitude, so it’s uncertain how I’ll respond, but motivation isn’t lacking.”
Photo Credit: GettyElisa Longo Borghini proud to race her home Monument
For Elisa Longo Borghini of UAE Team ADQ, the significance of racing her home Monument is immense: “As an Italian and the Italian champion, it will be an honour for me to take part in this race, which has a unique charm. Sanremo is something special, part of cycling history, and I think racing it, tackling those legendary roads, will be an incredible experience for all of us.”
Longo Borghini also expects a highly tactical race, open to multiple scenarios, just like the men’s event: “The competition will be strong, and just like in the men’s race, the finale could play out in many different ways. I believe it will be the same for us.”
Marianne Vos thrives on race uncertainty
Experienced Dutch rider Marianne Vos of Visma-Lease a Bike embraces the uncertainty ahead of the event, explaining: “You feel the tension and excitement around the race. Many riders and teams have targeted this event, and I’m also looking forward to it. It’s actually just guessing how it will unfold.”
Giorgia Bronzini provides key tactical insights
Giorgia Bronzini, sports director at Human Powered Health and a former Primavera Rosa rider, gave detailed insight into potential race dynamics to Bici.Pro. She explained how different teams will approach the race differently: “Teams with sprinters will aim to control everything. Teams with climbers or classics riders will look for opportunities everywhere. Their objective will be to exhaust the sprinters’ legs and eliminate them from the finale.”
On her own team’s situation, Bronzini candidly shared their difficulties due to injuries: “Honestly, for us it’s not a happy moment and we are suffering as a team. Unfortunately, we’ll be at the start with a line-up that wasn’t planned. Our leaders are out—Ruth Edwards dislocated her shoulder at Strade Bianche and Thalita De Jong broke her collarbone at Trofeo Binda. Our leader will be Barbara Malcotti.”
Bronzini also identified several favourites, notably singling out Kopecky: “When Kopecky attacks, she doesn’t do it casually. The race has characteristics that suit Kopecky whether it becomes hard or slightly easier. Besides Kopecky, among the favourites, I see Balsamo, who had a great race in Cittiglio. If the race becomes extremely hard, I think Elisa Longo Borghini along with Demi Vollering will be more advantaged. I’d insert Vos as well, because when she races events like these, she’s difficult to handle.”
Photo Credit: Thomas Sisk | PhotoNewsAnnemiek van Vleuten anticipates tactical intrigue
Former rider, current analyst & Fenix-Deceuninck coach Annemiek van Vleuten highlighted Elisa Balsamo’s strengths: “The question is mainly who will crest the Poggio together. Imagine it’s riders from FDJ-SUEZ and SD Worx-Protime: will they work together all the way to the finish line? If there’s hesitation on the Poggio, that could benefit Balsamo. Especially as she is Italian and Lidl-Trek has a strong squad—write her down as a real fighter.”
She also pointed out Marianne Vos’ capabilities: “You don’t simply drop Vos on the Poggio, and she’s also very good in descending. On the other hand, Marianne looked like she was really struggling uphill at Binda. Vollering will have noticed that, and it will motivate her. Demi knows the pace must be extremely high on the climbs to drop certain riders.”
Ultimately, Van Vleuten summarised the excitement felt by everyone: “In the women’s peloton, we still don’t quite know what kind of race this will be. That’s exactly what makes it such an interesting race to watch on Saturday.”
