Giro Women, Elisa Balsamo wins in pink in Caorle and doesn't hide emotion

Second stage and second win at the Giro Women 2026 for Elisa Balsamo: if the success in the first stage, however, had come after the disqualification of Lorena Wiebes (for an underweight bike compared to the regulations), the second one is all about the Cuneo-based Lidl-Trek rider, who took the pink jersey at the finish line in Caorle, at the end of a 156-kilometer stage that started from Roncade.

“It’s great to win wearing the pink jersey,” said Balsamo, without hiding her excitement. I have been waiting for this week for a very long time. I want to thank my teammates because they did an amazing job throughout the day. I felt good and the sprint was perfect against such a strong group of opponents.”

The head is already on Monday’s stage, however, which will take the Giro Women Caravan from Bibione to Buja. “I know tomorrow’s finish quite well because I did a reconnaissance of the route,” said Elisa Balsamo. The last kilometer is quite challenging and undulating, but I’ll try to do my best.”

In the overall standings, Elisa Balsamo leads by 8″ over Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) and 12″ of Chiara Consonni (Canyon-SRAM Zondacrypto), who was also second and third at today’s finish. Balsamo also leads the points classification, while Eleonora La Bella (Aromitalia Vaiano) wears the blue jersey of GPM leader and Alessia Zambelli (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo) leads the youth ranking, which awards the white jersey.