Elisa Balsamo secured a memorable victory at the 2025 edition Trofeo Alfredo Binda on Sunday, sprinting to her third career win in the prestigious Italian classic. The former world champion delivered the decisive sprint after a fast-paced race, marked by relentless attacking throughout the final laps in Cittiglio. Balsamoโs triumph means Lidl-Trek have now won the last five editions, underlining their dominance at this event.
In a closely contested finish, Blanka Vas secured second place for SD Worx-Protime, while 18-year-old Cat Ferguson, making her WorldTour debut for Movistar, impressed by taking third.
Elisa Balsamo: “I’m speechless”
Speaking after her victory, Balsamo expressed both joy and exhaustion, and credited the home advantage and local support for pushing to a another victory at Trofeo Alfredo Binda.
“I’m speechless. Honestly, it was one of the hardest races ever for me. The last two laps were crazy. My teammates did a great job. It’s always so nice to win in Italy, and at this race, so itโs a perfect day. I really like this race. I know every single metre of the race. Today, a lot of friends and all my family were there. They were pushing me on the last climb โ every 10 metres there was someone. Iโm so happy.”
Photo Credit: Cor VosMarianne Vos: “It’s a pity I just came up short”
Behind the podium finishers, Marianne Vos narrowly missed a top-three finish, coming in fourth for Visma-Lease a Bike. Vos, racing her first road event of 2025, admitted disappointment at being boxed in during the sprint but took encouragement from her strong showing:
“Itโs a pity that I just came up short in the sprint, because I would have liked to take a nice place of honour here. Nevertheless, I am happy with the feeling. A first race like this is always a bit exciting. It was nice that we had Fem [van Empel] with us in the breakaway. Behind, we tried to stay sharp for the final, in which there were a lot of attacks. Our task was to keep control as much as possible. I think we succeeded well in that. Although the result could have been better, we can take this into the coming weeks.”
Kim le Court: “The sensations are great”
AG Insurance-Soudalโs Kim le Court also had a strong day, finishing ninth after an active performance. Le Court attacked repeatedly in the final kilometres, clearly demonstrating her good form. After the race, she reflected positively on both her performance and the team’s effort:
“Iโm really proud of todayโs race; it was an important boost for my morale. I tend to second-guess myself, so proving to myself that Iโm on the right track means a lot. As a team, we had to adapt after missing the main breakaway, but the girls did an incredible job bringing it back. Their belief in me to deliver is something Iโm truly grateful for. I made both key moves with the top contenders, but with no cohesion in the break, the chase group caught us. At two kilometres to go, I sat up to reposition for the sprint and managed a top 10. Itโs not a podium, but itโs a big step in the right direction. The sensations are great, and Iโm excited knowing thereโs still more to come.”
Justine Ghekiere: “Happy to be back racing”
Le Courtโs teammate Justine Ghekiere, returning after six weeks away from competition, took 17th place and was satisfied overall, saying:
“Today I wasnโt strong enough to make a difference, but Iโm happy Iโm back racing after six weeks. I know I will improve race by race, so overall I can be happy with todayโs result.”
Photo Credit: GettyBlanka Vas: “This podium gives me confidence”
Runner-up Blanka Vas praised her SD Worx-Protime teammates for their work in positioning her for the final sprint. Vas emphasised that team support was crucial in securing her first major podium of the season:
“The whole team did great work today. Anna van der Breggen and Femke Gerritse were crucial in helping me bridge back after the late attacks. I had strong legs, but my positioning on the climbs wasnโt perfect. That’s why Iโm really happy with how the team managed to position me for the sprint. It’s only my second road race of the season and my first real chance to compete fully, so getting a podium in a WorldTour race gives me confidence for the classics ahead.”
Photo Credit: GettyDominika Wลodarczyk: “I surprised myself today”
Dominika Wลodarczyk, who finished 15th after a combative performance for UAE Team ADQ, was encouraged by her aggressive riding throughout the race:
“My coach told me before the race that Iโm really strong, but to be honest I didnโt believe him. During the race I didnโt feel super good, but I was repeating to myself that I needed to fight until the end. On the final lap, it was hard to first create a gap for Elisa [Longo Borghini] and then jump to her group. But when I saw Demi [Vollering] chasing, I thought we needed one more rider from UAE in the first group. That’s why I joinedโbecause I wanted to help in the final and knew I could be really useful.”
Pfeiffer Georgi: “We can take momentum forward”
Pfeiffer Georgi of Team Picnic PostNL initially crossed the line fifth but was later relegated to 16th for deviating in the sprint. Before learning of her relegation, Georgi spoke positively about the teamโs race strategy:
“Iโm really happy with how we rode as a team today and felt full commitment from the girls all day. Marta Cavalli showed her strength being able to follow the final move, and for me it was a matter of surviving and then, if it came back together, going for the sprint. I’m happy I still felt strong in the sprint but started too far back in the last corner, which meant I had too many places to make up. But I think we can take this momentum forward for the rest of the spring.”
Main photo credit: Flaviano Ossola
