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Elisa Balsamo is the reigning women’s road world champion and wears the rainbow jersey in her inaugural season with Women’s WorldTeam Trek-Segafredo in 2022.
She completed an impressive hat-trick this spring by sprinting to victory at three one-day races – Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Classic Brugge-De Panne and Gent-Wevelgem.
Also the Italian road champion, Balsamo will line up to defend the rainbow jersey at the UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, Australia. She shares insights from the peloton in a blog series for Cyclingnews.
Here we are, at the moments of farewells.
Not to the season, since there are a few days of racing left in October, but to this white jersey with the colors of the rainbow that I have worn for a year.
In a few days it will be up for grabs again, in the road race in Wollongong. When I think about it, a little ‘healthy’ melancholy accompanies me.
I admit that I have become attached to see myself racing with it. The idea to arrive early in September to take it off, to take the pressure or weight off my shoulders, never crossed my mind.
However, on Saturday the 24th, it may pass on someone else’s shoulders, and it is right that I should be aware of it.
There was one fact that says a lot on how special this year has been for me. A couple of weeks ago, in Madrid, in my last race before leaving for Australia, I won. The same had happened in the first race with…
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