Elisa Balsamo has underlined her commitment to Valcar – Travel & Service by signing a contract extension through 2021, confirming her belief in a project dedicated to developing young Italian talent. True to form, she continues to deliver internationally, taking 4th place at the Clasica Femenina Navarra, a UCI 1.1 race with a start list worthy of WorldTour level. Victory went to world champion Annemiek van Vleuten, who attacked solo and proved untouchable.
“Starting to race again felt great,” said Balsamo, who won bronze in the Madison at this year’s track world championships in Berlin. “The feelings are positive because it was such a hard race. I was a bit disappointed with 4th, as I made a mistake in the sprint for 3rd. I went too early and Maria Giulia Confalonieri came past with a late surge. But for a first road race after ten months away, it went well.”
Balsamo is both a leader and a team player within Valcar – Travel & Service. On her blog, she has written about how she lived through the long months without racing. “We’ve always been a united group. Even after so much time apart, our friendships didn’t fade, so it was a real pleasure to meet again at the training camp in Livigno. It was also great to get to know my new teammates Teniel Campbell and Silvia Magri. They gave me a strong impression and I’m glad they’re with us. Together we can be competitive in the classics, as we have fast riders who can get over the climbs and contest the sprints.”
Her return to road racing follows a winter focused on the track with the Italian national team. “I’ll finish this block of road races tomorrow in the Basque Country, then I’ll ride Strade Bianche on 1st August. After that I’ll be back on the track in Fiorenzuola and Pordenone.”
Looking further ahead, Balsamo has outlined her main goals. “I’d like to do well at La Course by Le Tour de France at the end of August and at the Boels Ladies Tour in early September. Then we’ll see how the Northern Classics develop.”
Those Northern races may play out differently than usual. “We’re used to racing them in cold conditions, so with milder weather they could be much more unpredictable.”
Despite the disruption, she was positive about how the calendar has been reshaped. “It’s been a good job. I was sad to see some races cancelled, but it wasn’t anyone’s fault. The situation was uncertain, but this calendar has allowed every organiser to stage their race and ensured a strong level of participation everywhere.”
Attention to detail remains one of her strengths, even in a season turned upside down. “All teams will have to calculate carefully. You need to be smart, manage yourself, and time your form just right. Everyone needs points, so there will be plenty of surprises.”
Above all, she is simply happy to be back. “As I said, I’m glad we’ve finally restarted. For weeks I was craving the atmosphere of racing, and now I can’t wait to put all the work of these past months to good use.”
