Second consecutive podium in Belgium for Elisa Balsamo who finishes third in the final sprint by disputing one of the most beautiful races of her career, because she showed that she is not only a sprinter, but also an athlete capable of attacking and being a protagonist in a difficult race like the Brabantse Pijl.
“This morning my coach told me: ‘Elisa, go and have fun. you are a sprinter, but you have to show everyone that you also attack’ and so I did,” Elisa Balsamo told Eurosport and Flanders Classics.
In fact, Elisa ran with courage and quality. At 33 km from the finish she took off on a pavee wall and only Nisher-Black, Amialiusik, Wiles and Thomas remained with her at the head of the race. After a few kilometers the group got back together, but in the end Elisa Balsamo went on the run again. This time the group of fugitives consisted of Vollering, Labous, Lowden, Winder and Thomas and the action was decisive. In the restricted sprint Ruth Winder won by 4 millimeters over Demi Vollering, while Elisa finished third.
“In the end my legs were tired – said Elisa – I was not surprised by the fact that today there was a breakaway, because the path was very hard. Now I will race the Amstel Gold Race and then I will be back on track. I am very happy because this is my best season ever. I love racing here in Belgium. The secret of this beautiful season is that my team lets me grow step by step. This is the most important thing for me ”.
These words and this third place at Brabantse Pijl are a great result for Valcar – Travel & Service which last Sunday also celebrated the first victory of a girl from the youth sector like Beatrice Bertolini in Bovolone and the sixth place of the elite Silvia Magri in Civitanova Marche.
