Elisa Balsamo succeeds Martina Alzini in the 2026 edition of the Egmont Cycling Race Women, a circuit race held with start and finish in Zottegem over a distance of 130 kilometers. The Lidl Trek athlete, brilliantly guided by her teammate Lucinda Brand, won decisively ahead of Hélène Hesters, Belgian rider for Liv AlUla Jayco Continental, and Danish Solbjørk Minke Anderson, racing for EF Education-Oatly. For Italian colors, also noteworthy is the top-10 finish of young Erja Bianchi of CANYON//SRAM Generation, who finished seventh.

Before the decisive sprint, the peloton rode compactly for many kilometers with some athletes attempting individual breakaways. Among these brave riders was American Lily Williams (Human Powered Health), who attacked when 5 kilometers remained to the finish line but was caught shortly after.

FINAL RESULTS

1 Balsamo Elisa Lidl - Trek

2 Hesters Hélène Liv AlUla Jayco Women's Continental Team

3 Anderson Solbjørk Minke EF Education-Oatly

4 Verkerk Katja Minimax Cycling Team

5 Gjertsen Mia Uno-X Mobility

6 Jackson Alison St Michel - Preference Home - Auber93

7 Bianchi Erja Giulia CANYON//SRAM Generation

8 Uneken Lonneke VolkerWessels Cycling Team

9 Brand Lucinda Lidl - Trek

10 González Alicia St Michel - Preference Home - Auber93