Elisa Balsamo

Elisa Balsamo was born on February 27, 1998, in Cuneo, Italy. Growing up in the heart of Piedmont, Elisa was surrounded by Italy’s cycling culture, and her natural speed and tactical sense led her to become a standout talent early on. Initially excelling on the track, Balsamo quickly built a reputation as a formidable sprinter, eventually moving onto the road, where she would make her mark on the world stage.

Balsamo’s rise in track and road racing

Balsamo’s talent showed from a young age. In 2015, she won the junior world title in the scratch race, followed by dominant performances in 2016, when she took gold in both the omnium and team pursuit at the junior European and World Championships. That same year, she won the junior world road racing title, a victory that cemented her as one of Italy’s most promising young cyclists.

Upon turning professional with Valcar PBM in 2017, Balsamo wasted no time proving her potential. In 2018, she captured her first significant wins on the road, including the Omloop van Borsele and Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli. Her growing reputation earned her a place on the Italian national team at the 2019 World Championships, where she continued to show off her skills and talent.

World champion and sprint victories in major races

2021 marked a career-defining moment for Balsamo. At the UCI Road World Championships in Flanders, she sprinted to victory in the elite women’s road race, triumphing over Marianne Vos in a thrilling finish. This win established Balsamo as one of the world’s top sprinters and opened doors to new opportunities, including a transfer to Trek-Segafredo in 2022.

In her debut season with Trek-Segafredo, Balsamo continued her winning ways, claiming high-profile victories in the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Classic Brugge-De Panne and Gent-Wevelgem. She also won two stages in the Giro d'Italia Donne and secured the Italian national road race title, underlining her consistency and prowess in sprint finishes.

Recent successes and track accolades

Balsamo’s success wasn’t confined to the road. She continued to deliver on the track, winning multiple medals at European and World Championships, including a gold in the team pursuit at the 2022 World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. Her versatility in both disciplines has made her a crucial asset to her teams and a favorite for podiums across various race formats.

In 2023, Balsamo maintained her momentum with victories in the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana and a stage win at the Simac Ladies Tour. She also claimed podium finishes in races like the Ronde van Drenthe, reinforcing her place among the world’s top sprinters.