Elisa Balsamo and Lidl Trek are once again on the throne of the Alfredo Binda Trophy in Cittiglio. After a passionate duel with attacks between Longo Borghini and Vollering, the former world champion from Cuneo, who remained hidden throughout the race, emerged at the right moment and sprinted to victory, beating Blanka Vas (SD Worx Protime) and Cat Ferguson (Movistar), who finished second and third respectively. At the end of the 152 kilometers, two other Italian riders were among the best, Letizia Paternoster (6th) and Monica Trinca Colonel (9th).

THE RACE - The day's breakaway was initiated by fourteen athletes: Elizabeth Deignan (Lidl - Trek), Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini (UAE Team ADQ), Nina Buijsman (FDJ - SUEZ), Eglantine Rayer (FDJ - SUEZ), Neve Bradbury (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), Fem van Empel (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Sara Casasola (Fenix-Deceuninck), Ella Wyllie (Liv AlUla Jayco), Mareille Meijering (Movistar Team), Francesca Barale (Team Picnic PostNL), Katrine Aalerud (Uno-X Mobility), Henrietta Christie (EF Education-Oatly), who broke away from the peloton at the 52nd kilometer of the race.

The attackers were caught by the group with 32 kilometers to go, and immediately in counterattack, Polish rider Dominika Włodarczyk from UAE Team ADQ and Magdeleine Vallieres, a Canadian from EF Education-Oatly, broke away. About ten kilometers later, this duo was also reeled in, and on a downhill section, Anna Van der Breggen (SD Worx) pushed ahead.

Once again forced back into the ranks, Elisa Longo Borghini first turned up the heat, with Demi Vollering on her wheel. The attacks made a massive selection, and with 11 kilometers to go, the leading group consisted of Longo Borghini, Vollering, Ferrand-Prévot, Le Court, Pieterse, Mavi Garcia, Silke Smulders.

With 8 kilometers to go, Longo Borghini made another move, but her rivals, including a spirited Marta Cavalli, promptly responded. Shortly after, another reshuffling occurred: attacks, counterattacks, and a surge by Dutch rider Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck). The 22-year-old Dutch rider, attacking downhill, was followed by Longo Borghini, Vollering, Pieterse, and Trinca Colonel, who seemed poised to contest the victory despite the chasing group being very close.

At the final turn, with a slight uphill road, the attackers' action ended, and Elisa Balsamo launched her winning sprint, securing her third victory in Cittiglio, her third seasonal win, and becoming the leader of the 2025 Italy and Regions Cup.

A memorable day for Lidl Trek, which, shortly after Milan's victory in the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, toasted to Elisa Balsamo's fifth consecutive victory at the Binda Trophy in Cittiglio.

FINAL STANDINGS

1 BALSAMO Elisa Lidl - Trek 04:00:19

2 VAS Blanka Team SD Worx - Protime ,,

3 FERGUSON Cat Movistar Team ,,

4 VOS Marianne Team Visma | Lease a Bike ,,

5 GEORGI Pfeiffer Team Picnic PostNL ,,

6 PATERNOSTER Letizia Liv AlUla Jayco ,,

7 RÜEGG Noemi EF Education-Oatly ,,

8 PIETERSE Puck Fenix-Deceuninck ,,

9 TRINCA COLONEL Monica Liv AlUla Jayco ,,

10 (LE COURT) PIENAAR Kimberley AG Insurance - Soudal Team ,,

To be updated