If the ability to get back up and come back stronger than before were an Olympic discipline, Elisa Balsamo would be a gold medalist. While waiting to chase it at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games, the 27-year-old from Cuneo had the emotion of carrying the Olympic flame in her hometown ahead of Milano-Cortina 2026 and has prepared herself well for a season in which luck—hopefully—will turn in the right direction. The Lidl Trek star, world champion in 2021, has put behind her two serious injuries suffered in 2023 and 2024, plus a virus that slowed her down in the second half of last year. Elisa's philosophy is simple: reset everything and start fresh, make a clean slate of what has been to begin again with the hunger of someone who wants to get their revenge. In the past season she confirmed herself as one of the spearheads of the Italian national team with five victories and many podiums, especially in races in the north. After the European Track Championship, it's precisely on the Classics that she has circled in red on the 2026 calendar, aiming to raise her arms to the sky in a Monument and to demonstrate once again that she is stronger than any unforeseen circumstance.

How are you doing?
«Good, thanks. To recharge my energy I gave myself four weeks without the bike, which I picked back up in mid-November, when for the first time I spent a training period in Gran Canaria. For about a couple of years now my husband Davide has been coaching me (Plebani, former rider and technical collaborator for the Italian Paralympic national team, ed.). We get along and I trust him, plus the work is always coordinated with my team. After two difficult years, 2025 was definitely much more positive, especially in spring with victories at the Volta Valenciana and the Trofeo Binda, and it gave me a good foundation for a 2026 in which I wouldn't want to have to prove my resilience anymore».

Have the setbacks weakened you or made you stronger?
«Physically they weren't easy to overcome, in today's cycling you have to always be at your best and if you're forced to stop for a month during the season then you're forced to chase. It happened to me for two years in a row, the pain was undeniable but I've put it behind me. On a mental level I had confirmation that I'm someone who doesn't give up and doesn't surrender in the face of difficulties. I managed it thanks to the passion I feel for this sport and especially to the people who stood by me».

At the European championship you returned to racing on the track.
«I missed it, the last high-level race I competed in was the Paris 2024 Olympics, last year I only raced in Aigle to get back the feel for the velodrome and because... at the end of the season I didn't have the energy to train on the road anymore (smiles, ed.). I like the track and it's fun for me. Seeing Davide put the well-deserved bronze around his neck in tandem with Lorenzo Bernard at Paris 2024 made me a bit more at peace with the five rings, which remain a big dream of mine. After two participations and a fourth place at the second one, now I want a medal. Participating isn't enough for me anymore, LA 2028 in this sense is an objective».

And on the road where will we see you in action?
«I started with the Valenciana, so I'll race the Omloop Nieuwsblad, the stage race in Spain Extremadura, the Milano-Sanremo and all the northern classics. After the seventh place I got a year ago, the Classicissima is one of the big objectives of this season along with Roubaix. I'd also like to do well at the Giro d'Italia, the last stage practically arrives in front of my parents' house (mom Silvia and dad Sergio both have licenses as third-level sports directors and in minor categories they directly followed their daughter's development, ed.). Beyond a great classic, I'd like to manage to bring home a stage victory at the Tour de France too, we've been trying with the team for a long time and there's always something that doesn't work out, it's time to repay everyone for their hard work».

A thought about the Montreal Worlds?
«The course doesn't really suit my characteristics and I see them still far away. Wearing the Italian jersey is magical and I always enjoy helping my teammates, we'll think about it in the coming months. Five years have passed since my triumph in Leuven, so far the greatest emotion of my career. I remember the moment I crossed the finish line ahead of a legend like Marianne Vos. What filled my heart the most was seeing that all the people around me believed in me: that was the extra boost that allowed me to win».

Recently you were among the 10,001 torch bearers of Milano-Cortina.
«It was an unexpected joy. I was very happy to be chosen, I felt proud and part of this great event. Not everyone gets the privilege of carrying the torch, I will keep it forever as a beautiful memory. After wearing the national colors for two Summer Olympics, it was an honor to cross my hometown with the Olympic flame in my hand. I can't wait for these Winter Olympic Games to start and to cheer for all the Italian athletes competing. I'm super passionate about winter sports, particularly biathlon. I follow it on TV much more than cycling so I won't miss a single race. Italy is doing very well in this discipline».

Today you're turning 28, what gift would you like to give yourself?
«A Monument. Even if it came late compared to my birthday I'd be happy».

You're a reference point for women's cycling in Italy and beyond. Do you feel the weight of this responsibility?
«I don't feel pressure, but I'm proud of what I represent. Being an example for many young girls pushes me even more to give my best. There are many younger girls who watch how I behave both in races and outside, and for this reason I try to always be available and friendly with everyone. Sometimes it's not so simple, especially when something goes wrong, but that's part of the game».

Does women's cycling still have room for growth?
«For me, yes. I reached these levels in a period when the movement was already growing, thanks to those who in previous years paved the way for new generations. Now it's essential to continue this path and create a virtuous circle that starts with visibility: the more space given to our sport, the greater the economic interests and more around it. However, a change of mentality is also needed. Recently I was asked: "Why does a woman ride a bike?", a sign that the road is still very long, but I believe strongly in this growth, also from a cultural point of view».

The recognition of motherhood is now an acquired right for athletes.
«Finally a taboo has been dispelled. As a woman I consider it a very positive achievement. In my team it was made "normal" right away, more than one teammate has given birth to a child and then returned to compete at the highest levels. Becoming a mother is not in my plans at the moment, but knowing that there's an open door in this sense makes me feel at ease. If in the future I wanted to realize this desire I know it will be possible, that I won't have to give up my career and the ambition to win other races».

Have you resumed studying after a sabbatical year from your degree in Modern and Contemporary Literature at the University of Turin?
«Yes, but slowly. I enrolled in the Master's program in Communication, Information and Publishing at the University of Bergamo».

Since you could be one of our colleagues in a while, we'll put you to the test right away. How would you sum up your career so far?
«The key word of the piece that tells it is determination: among many ups and downs, despite quite a few difficulties, I never gave up».

The title you'd like to give to the 2026 chapter?
«The year of the Monument. It doesn't matter which one, but I want to stand on the highest step of the podium».

from tuttoBICI February issue