World Champion Elisa Balsamo Wins her first race of the season at Vuelta Comunidad Valencia Feminas. Wearing the Trek Segafredo World Champion jersey for the first time.

phot credit: Sprint Cycling

The world champion took a fantastic victory following an outstanding lead out by teammate and fellow Italian, Elisa Longo Borghini who crossed the line in 5th place whilst celebrating the win.

Another impressive lead out from the Australian Team Bike Exchange rider Alexandra Manly helped teammate Ruby Roseman- Gannon sprint into 2nd place with Manly crossing the line in 4th. Anouska Koster rounded out the podium in 3rd.

Canyon SRAM took the team victory with Trek Segafredo in second and Team Bike Exchange in third.

The opening stage of the race finished in a bunch sprint, however, it was an excitingly aggressive race throughout.
A spirited solo attack saw Team Emirates rider Erica Magnaldi gain a gap of up to 2minutes and 35seconds.

As Magnaldi was reeled back by the peloton, a big attack followed over the final climb of the day, and with just 10km to go a group of 6 riders including the previous World and Olympic Champion Annemiek Van Vleuten had pulled out a gap of 33 seconds.

The move forced the team of Trek Segafredo to lead a fast and furious chase for the final kilometres setting World Champion, Elisa Balsamo up perfectly for the finish.

Stage two will start from Altea, covering a total of 117km finishing in Cocentaina. The stage profile covers just 1 categorized climb within the first half of the day.

Will we see another sprint finish in Cocentaina?

Race results: