The Elite and Under-23 Women's road race returns to Darfo Boario Terme after 9 years, and it promises to be a truly exciting race. The 135 athletes at the start will compete on a 130 km course that could be open to multiple scenarios, between long-range attacks and the arrival of a reduced group - it seems we will witness a great show. Two athletes have already won in Darfo: Elena Cecchini won the elite title in 2016 and Elisa Balsamo in youth categories in 2013 and as a junior in 2016.

to follow the live coverage of the entire race starting at 12:55 CLICK HERE

Many girls have described it as a kind of classic, and indeed the course is dotted with a series of climbs and steep sections that recall the routes of the north. In the first part of the race, the group will tackle a 12 km circuit to be repeated 6 times with the climb of Gianico and then the steep section of via Coltura on the fifth and sixth passages. After an additional 33 km lap to be repeated once, in the final 18 km the race will cross a double lap characterized by the Cornaleto Wall, which could represent the last opportunity to try to arrive solo under the finish line.

Elisa Longo Borghini arrives as the defending champion, but as she herself admits, is not the big favorite, however, she will have a great team that could take on the responsibility of controlling the race. The odds of the predictions all lean in favor of the other Elisa; Balsamo has been indicated by Elena Cecchini as the athlete to keep an eye on for her sprint strength, but also her climbing ability. Given the great similarity of the course to a classic, another highly anticipated athlete is Letizia Borghesi, who had an incredible northern campaign, but also Silvia Persico and Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini who could come into play as second options compared to Longo. Among the sports groups, there is always particular attention to the Fiamme Azzurre group, which could rely on Letizia Paternoster who handles the steep sections well, and the Fiamme Oro with the new Italian time trial champion Vittoria Guazzini and many interesting girls. Among the athletes to watch, we highlight the PicNic Postnl duo Eleonora Ciabocco and Francesca Barale, the cyclocross rider Sala Casasola and the Valtellina native Monica Trinca Colonel. Do not underestimate the key role of the Continental teams in the race, they are the most numerous and could create great chaos.

the list of participants is in the attached PDF