- Sep 26, 2020
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The golden jubilee for the oldest WWT race on the calendar is upon us. While it was purely an Italian affair for nearly all of its first 25 years, it has still been held in fairly high regard within the sport, especially during the period in-between the first run of a women's Milano-Sanremo and its return last year, where it was the closest the female riders had to the real thing.
It being an event without a direct male counterpart, which has become more of a rarity at the top of women's bike racing nowadays, also adds something to its aura. Sure it was named after one of the big Italian male riders, but a lot of other races dedicated to the memory of cycling greats haven't managed to survive for half a century.
The race has been dominated by Elisa Balsamo in recent years having won three of the past four editions, and she could very well have won all of them if Trek haven't sent Shirin van Anrooij on the attack in 2023. However, we know she won't be defending her title this year, so a new champion will have to be crowned.
The record of four wins is shared between Maria Canins and Marianne Vos, and the GOAT is on the start line once more. So is Van Anrooij, two time winner Elisa Longo Borghini and 2018 winner Kasia Niewiadoma, among other well known names.
The distance has been increased over the years, but the main part of the route hasn't been changed much. Recent editions imply that it is not as easy for the stronger climbers to make a major difference as it was in the past, and while it is still impossible for a pure sprinter like Charlotte Kool to win, it should be doable for a Lorena Wiebes. Neither of them are racing though, so we can't say for sure.
The route will take the riders through some of the area between Lago di Varese and Lago di Maggiore, just a very long stone throw away from the Longo Borghini family home in Ornavasso on the opposite side of Maggiore. The family will by the way not only be able to experience Elisa ride on home roads, but also her brother Paolo's daughter Anna, who is lining up for the junior race before the main event. That race will also feature the likes of Giorgia Pellizotti, Azurra Ballan and Ane Zubeldia.
Start list Elite:
Start list Juniors: https://firstcycling.com/m/race.php?r=9395&y=2026&k=start
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