Elisa Balsamo bid farewell to the rainbow jersey by winning the final stage of Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta in Madrid. It was her 9th win of the season and came in her last race ahead of the World Championships in Australia in two weeks.
As expected, it was a fast and furious race on the circuits in the center of Madrid, and it was a full team effort to help tame the attacks, and then a blistering fast lead-out from Elisa Longo Borghini.
While the final day belonged to Balsamo, the week was all Elisa Longo Borghini. From wearing the leader’s jersey after the Team’s win in Stage 1, her second-place finish in the queen stage put her into a firm second in the general classification. Longo Borghini added a third-place finish in Stage 4 when she almost snagged an uphill sprint win.
Trek-Segafredo added the mountains jersey, won by Lucinda Brand, to their success this week, and finished all five stages in the top three.
Elisa Balsamo
“I am extremely happy. This is my last race with the jersey and there is no better way to end such a wonderful season for me. Today we really were the strongest team, and I have to say a big thanks you to my team.
“We didn’t want to let the breakaway gain more than one minute, and Shirin (van Anrooij) and Amalie (Dideriksen) worked very hard to chase, and Lucinda and Elisa did a great lead out. It was the perfect day for us.”
Elisa Longo Borghini
“We were motivated for today because we knew we could win with Elisa and this was her last race in the rainbow jersey so we really wanted to honor it. Of course, we also know that she can still win again the World Championships.
“We played it smart by having Shirin and Amalie chasing the breakaway, and then Lucinda positioned Elisa and myself in a very good place for the sprint. At 600 meters, Elisa shouted at me to go. So I just went and hoped for the best. And then I saw a bullet passing me! It was Elisa and it was the best feeling to see her winning in Madrid.
“My 2nd place in the GC means a lot to me. I am riding really strong in the last part of the season. I have been consistent all year, except for the spring, and I hope to end the season well. I have some races I am looking forward to, like the World Championships in Wollongong and Tour de Romandie. It’s a good result, and it shows I have form.”
