Elisa Balsamo Secures Second Place at Ronde van Brugge in Challenging Conditions
The 2026 Ronde van Brugge, formerly known as the Classic Brugge-De Panne, delivered a tough race characterized by rain, wind, and cobblestones. The women’s edition, held on Thursday, saw Lidl-Trek’s Elisa Balsamo achieve a strong second-place finish after a grueling 143-kilometer course through challenging crosswinds and hailstones. The race marked a significant moment for Balsamo, representing her best result of the season thus far and bolstering team confidence as they move into the heart of the Classics week.
Race Recap: A Battle Against the Elements
Throughout the one-day race, the Lidl-Trek squad maintained a strong presence at the front of the peloton, diligently protecting sprinter Elisa Balsamo and capitalizing on opportunities as they arose. Lauretta Hanson launched a promising attack over the cobbled sections midway through the race, but the peloton ultimately regrouped in preparation for the final sprint.
Despite the chaotic and tense atmosphere in the closing kilometers, Lidl-Trek remained composed, strategically positioning Balsamo for the sprint. Clara Copponi and Fleur Moors expertly navigated the wind, securing a protected position on the left side of the road and leading Balsamo to the front of the race. As the riders passed under the flamme rouge, Balsamo unleashed her sprint, ultimately finishing second to Movistar’s Carys Lloyd.
Balsamo Reflects on the Race
Balsamo described the race as different than anticipated, noting the hope for echelons due to wind that didn’t fully materialize. “It was sunny, then cold, then raining, then even hailing. Everyone was freezing,” she said. She praised her team’s cohesion and the quality of the lead-out, but acknowledged a slight delay in initiating her sprint. “In the last moment, it was a little bit closed and I couldn’t start my sprint when I wanted, so I had to wait a little bit and it was a bit too late. But anyway, this start of the season was not the best one so I am happy to be back on the podium at an important race.”
Balsamo expressed confidence for the remainder of the Classics season, both for herself and the team. “If I think back to how the team was moving today and taking care of each other, it was amazing, so I’m really happy.”
Ronde van Brugge: A New Era for a Classic
The 2026 edition of the race marked a significant change for the event, previously known as the Classic Brugge-De Panne. Organizers altered the route, with both the start and finish now located in Bruges, bypassing the traditional finish in De Panne. This change was implemented, in part, to address safety concerns following multiple crashes in the previous year’s finale. Cyclingnews reports that rider safety was a key consideration in the decision to modify the course.
Despite the changes, the race continues to attract top sprinters, with past winners including Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier, and Sam Bennett. The flat parcours remains a key characteristic of the event, making it a prime target for speedy finishers.
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