The former world champion Elisa Balsamo has agreed to extend her contract with Trek Segafredo for a further 2 years. That means the Italian is now contracted to her existing team until the end of the 2026 season. Balsamo joined Trek Segafredo from Valcar shortly after winning her world championships in Flanders in 2021.
That sprint in Leuven elevated Balsamo to the top of the sport, where she had been rising to anyhow as the only sprinter capable of beating Lorena Wiebes in a straight fight. 2021 saw Balsamo win the GP Oetingen before winning the World Championships and finishing off the year with a win at the Women’s Tour. The fresh support and being part of a stronger team in 2022 saw Balsamo take wins at Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Gent Wevelgem, the Italian national championship and De Panne too. She also took stage wins in the major tours of the Giro Donne (2x) and the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta (1 + the TTT stage).
“The bond that has developed between me and this team is amazing and almost unique. We have a strong relationship. 2022 was an unforgettable year for me, but there are more stories that can be written. I still have many goals and the team has the same ambitions. I especially want to win classics, that’s where the challenge lies.”
Elisa Balsamo
“In addition to her results, Elisa has been able to add a lot to the team: her enthusiasm, charisma, determination, team spirit and proactive approach. When we contracted her, she was still a promising rider as a brand new world champion. We are a year further and she is now a real world topper. And the best is yet to come.”
Luca Guercilena, Trek Segafredo team manager
Elisa Balsamo begins her 2023 season at the Setmana CIclista Valenciana before taking on Omloop het Nieuwsblad, Stade Bianche, Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Gent Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold Race, before riding the Tour de France Femmes.
