Heading into Gent-Wevelgem Girls Elisa Balsamo had been on the cost, profitable her final two races, Basic Brugge – De Panne and Trofeo Alfredo Binda, and whereas the spectacular kind and teamwork continued by to Sunday’s race the Lidl-Trek rider fell simply centimeters wanting making it three in a row.
It was as a substitute SD Worx who made it to the highest step this time, with Lorena Wiebes profitable the dash which was so tight that the highest two needed to look forward to the evaluation of the picture end earlier than discovering out whether or not they might have a good time victory. It was clear by the look on her face that lacking out on making it three in a row by such a slender margin stung, however Balsamo might additionally see the positives.
“We simply spoke with the crew and debriefed. We really did a very good race. My teammates did an excellent job,” stated Balsamo in a Lidl-Trek assertion. “It was a great dash however I simply missed for a bit of bit. For certain I wished to win, but additionally second place is sweet.”
The runner-up spot might have meant Balsamo missed the hat trick however she maintains her podium run, with the 26 12 months previous having began the month with a second at Ronde van Drenthe earlier than delivering the primary and second Girls’s WorldTour wins of the season for her crew.
“We had been additionally simply very pleased with Elisa to be there once more and that we had been there with 5,” stated teammate Shirin van Anrooij in a submit race interview on ProCycling Girls. “We had been up there and in the long run it was tremendous shut and higher luck subsequent time I assume.”
The subsequent massive goal will probably be on the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, a race the crew has but to win however the place Lidl-Trek have quite a few riders that would fare nicely on the cobbled Basic. That runs from Van Anrooij and Balsamo to Elisa Longo Borghini and Lucinda Model, plus the squad could have the expertise of two former winners, Lizzie Deignan and Ellen van Dijk, together with the ever dependable Lauretta Hanson.
SD Worx’ Lotte Kopecky, who was working laborious for winner Wiebes at Gent-Wevelgem, is more likely to bounce again into the highlight on the occasion the place she strains up as a two-time defending champion. SD Worx took the highest two spots on the Tour of Flanders in 2023, with Kopecky and Demi Vollering whereas Longo Borghini got here third. The Lidl-Trek crew, nonetheless, have made clear that they are going to be doing every little thing attainable to reshuffle the crew order on these steps on the race in 2024.
“I do know that subsequent week will probably be actually laborious, however we’ll struggle to get revenge,” stated Balsamo.
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