Elisa Balsamo claimed her fourth sprint victory in as many opportunities at the Giro d’Italia Women, outpacing Maggie Coles-Lyster and Georgia Baker on stage six.
The Italian was expertly delivered into position by her Lidl-Trek teammate Lucinda Brand, before launching her final burst and overtaking Coles-Lyster inside the last 50 metres, after the Canadian opened up the bunch sprint.
Balsamo continues to strengthen her grip on the red points classification jersey in the nine-stage race.
“Having the best lead-out in the world makes everything easier,” Balsamo said after the stage. “With Lucinda, I don’t have to fight for position. I just trust her, and I know she’s the best. Honestly, it’s more on her than on me.”
In the general classification, Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen retains the pink jersey, leading compatriot Demi Vollering by one minute.
On the mostly flat 159km stage from Ala to Brescello, crosswinds briefly split the peloton, allowing Van der Breggen to move into the front group before being reeled back in by the chasing pack.
Vollering, who is targeting a rare Grand Tour sweep in women’s cycling, also animated the race during the intermediate sprint but was ultimately brought back alongside her main rival.
Stage seven will cover 165km from Sorbolo Mezzani to Salice Terme, featuring a single categorized climb before the race heads into two decisive mountain stages over the weekend.
