Elisa Balsamo wasted no time in finding back the podium in her first race since Paris-Roubaix
The newly extended RideLondon Classique’s first day ended with a fast uphill dash to the line that saw Lorena Wiebes take the win ahead of Elisa Balsamo. Emma Norsgaard rounded out the podium.
It was the first action for Elisa Balsamo since the spring Classics, and if she had any cobwebs, they were certainly dusted off in the uphill sprint.
A solo breakaway, Anna Henderson (Team Jumbo-Visma), animated the race. Henderson built a lead that needed to be tamed in the last kilometers and it took a solid effort from a few teams, including Trek-Segafredo.
Henderson held an advantage into the final meters, creating an exciting finish, but the climb to the line proved too much.
The WorldTour race continues with a tough Stage 2 peppered with short climbs followed by a final day in London that should shake out a worthy overall winner.
#RideLondon #RideLondonClassique
🎙 We hear from @Elisa_balsamo,🥈 in Stage 1 ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Qu221ZyP5A
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) May 27, 2022