Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) won her first elite women's road race title at the Italian Championships. The reigning World Champion won the sprint to take the title from runner-up Rachele Barbieri (Liv Racing Xstra) and third-placed Barbara Guarischi (Movistar Team).
The women raced a pan-flat route between Medolla and San Felice sul Panaro under warm 40 Celcius. The race was all together at the 60km mark indicating that the field looked all but set for a bunch sprint.
Defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini, who normally races for Trek-Segafredo, lined up in the Fiamme Oro-Polizia jersey for the national championships.
A group of three emerged with 40km to go that included Elena Pirrone (Fiamme Oro), Francesca Pisciali (Team Mendelspeck), Iris Monticello (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo).
The trio gained just under a minute on the field led by teams Be Pink, Isolmant Premac Vittoria, Isolmant-Premac-Vittoria and Top Girls-Fassa Bortolo.
The field back together in the closing kilometres, Balsamo was fastest to the line taking her first elite women's road race title.
Kirsten Frattini has been the Editor of Cyclingnews since December 2025, overseeing editorial operations and output across the brand and delivering quality, engaging content.
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The 8th stage of the race is the longest at 171.9km in blazing sunshine as the peloton race from Sisteron to Nice with a potential sprint on the Promenade des Anglais.
