Get excited, another fierce women’s World Tour race is fast approaching. This week, the peloton is back in Italy for the impressive Trofeo Binda, a race recognised as one of the oldest races in women’s cycling!
The route features stunning, giant climbs with glorious summits. So don’t expect to be bored when you watch it!
Here is your go-to guide for the Trofeo Binda race – I will be discussing a variety of things from the route itself to the riders to watch out for.
The Race
This is a punchy one-day race, on a course which lends itself to a solo attack, or a group coming to the line for a reduced bunch gallop. The four laps of the final circuit include the leg-sapping Casale and Orino climbs, the latter a key segment where the race can be won or lost. Escape here, and it’s 7km downhill to the finish.
What Happened In 2018?
Kasia Niewiadoma the powerful Polish rider attacked on the final climb to Casale in Lombardy to win Trofeo Binda, as a result, this has become her trademark solo move.
Former world champion and current Dutch champion, Boels Dolman's workhorse Chantal Blaak finished second, while the GOAT, multiple worlds and Olympic champion Marianne Vos rounded out the podium in third.
Who To Look Out For?
Chantal Blaak
Although she may have finished second in this race last year, Chantal Blaak already has a win for this season thanks to a clever solo attack in spring classics opener Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
Blaak has shown she is in excellent form – working tirelessly for her teammates in both Strade Bianche and Ronde van Drenthe. Will Boels Dolmans reward that hard work for a chance to upgrade her second place in 2018?
Kasia Niewiadoma
An aggressive rider who races with no fear. So far this season she has finished third at Strade Bianche, riding German outfit Canyon Sram Racing. Let's see if she can make a mark in this week’s race!
Elisa Longo Borghini
The Italian is racing on home soil, near her beloved home Ornavasso. It’s not a myth, the home advantage is real – she will know every curve and bump in the roads the peloton will race along. Finishing 10th last year, in what was a torrid season, Longo Borghini will be highly motivated to lock down a result for new team Trek Segafredo, to add to their five wins already this year.
Cecillie Uttrup Ludwig
The young Danish star, who is as confident off the bike as she is on it, steps up this season to team leader for Bigla, after the departure of Ashleigh Moolman Pasio. She scored a top five at Strade Bianche, she was seventh in the 2018 edition of Trofeo Binda, so expect to see her at the pointy end of the race.
Marianne Vos
How can you forget Vos? She is an undeniable superstar, her name transcending not just women’s cycling but cycling itself. Refreshed and invigorated for the World Tour after a solid cyclocross season, Vos will hit out with new team CCC-Liv to try to improve on her third place finish last season.
Marta Bastianelli
If the Italian European champion can make it over the tough climbs, she will be the rider to beat in the sprint for the line. The former world champion is also the current Women’s World Tour (WWT) leader, racing in the purple leader’s jersey and she and her team Virtu Cycling will be doing all they can to defend her position.
