The blue is a reference for women’s cycling and speaks of the growth of the movement
Elisa Balsamo’s gaze is already projected towards the future, but reveals those wounds that she has learned to face and overcome over the years. From the elation for the World Cup victory in Belgium in 2021 to the pain caused by the two heavy injuries suffered in 2023 and 2024: “I have always been able to get back up, this is my strength”. Now the champion from Cuneo hopes to experience a year without injuries and unexpected events, with an added responsibility: “I want to be an example for young people who dream of doing this in life and contributing to the growth of the whole movement”.
Elisa, is there still time to relax or is it already time to think about 2026?
“I must say that I had some nice holidays, so I had the opportunity to take a break and relax so I could get to the new year with my mind set. Now I’m focused on preparing and reaching the best condition to be competitive straight away. I also took advantage of these weeks to spend a bit with my husband, given that during the year I spend more time with my teammates than with him (laughs)”.
The new season is approaching, yet he was only in China for a few weeks, where he had an unprecedented experience. What was it like racing there for the first time?
“When they told me that I would be racing the Tour of Chongming and Guangxi I was enthusiastic, but at the same time a little worried about the long journey and the fatigue of the whole year that were making themselves felt. In the end, however, it was a very positive experience and there is already the desire to return. There was a bit of fear about the food, but to avoid taking any risks I had brought some cans of tuna and crackers from home…”
And now with the calendar in hand, what will your next goals be?
“It’s still early to have clear ideas, but I will definitely focus on the Spring Classics. They are the races that I like the most and that give me the most satisfaction. Without obviously forgetting the Giro and Tour.”
And then there are also the World Cup in Montreal…
“I’m undecided, I have to tell the truth, because the path doesn’t really suit my characteristics. Going to the World Cup, however, remains a source of pride: wearing the blue jersey is something magical and I always enjoy helping my teammates. I will analyze the situation better and make my decision, for the good of both myself and the team.”
Speaking of the World Championships, four years have passed since his triumph in Leuven. What do you remember about that extraordinary victory?
“It was the most exciting moment of my career. I especially remember the moment in which I crossed the finish line in front of a sacred monster like Marianne Vos. The thing that filled my heart the most was seeing that all the people around me believed in me: this was the extra boost that allowed me to win.”
After the World Cup there were also many complicated moments. What did it mean for you to overcome them?
“In life I have always been someone who has gotten up many times and I am proud of this. In 2023 and 2024 I suffered two injuries that left their mark on me: I don’t forget the physical pain I felt in those moments, but I managed to overcome them. Now I just hope to have a little more luck and have a smooth and uneventful year.”
Today it is a reference for women’s cycling in Italy and beyond. Do you feel the weight of this responsibility?
“I don’t feel pressure in this sense, but I’m proud of what I represent. The fact of being a reference and an example for many young people pushes me even more to give my best and makes me responsible. There are many younger girls who watch how I behave both in and out of the competition and for this reason I try to always be available and friendly to everyone. Sometimes it’s not so simple, especially when something goes wrong, but it’s part of the game.”
Do you think that women’s cycling still has ample room for growth?
“Yes, I am convinced of it. I reached these levels in a period in which the movement was already growing. And this thanks to those who paved the way for the new generations in previous years. Now it is essential to continue this path and create a virtuous circle that starts from visibility: the more space given to our sport, the greater the economic interests will be and not only around it. However, a change of mentality is also needed. Recently I was asked: ‘Why does a woman ride a bike?’, a sign that the road is still there very long, but I really believe in this growth, also from a cultural point of view.”
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