Preview: Ronde van Drenthe
The Trofeo Alfredo Binda, round 7 in the Women’s WorldTour calendar, is set for Sunday, March 17th. Riders will start their race in Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca on the east side of the Lagio Maggiore and finish in the town of Cittiglio.
The Trofeo Alfredo Binda is named after the Italian cyclist Alfredo Binda, whose career saw victories in five Giro d’Italia, two Milan-San Remos, four Il Lombardias, and three World Championships. Originating from Cittiglio, Binda’s legacy adds a profound historical significance to the event. Notably, the Trofeo Alfredo Binda holds a unique position in the women’s cycling calendar as the premier race without a corresponding men’s counterpart.
Since its establishment in 1974, the Trofeo Alfredo Binda has grown into one of the most enduring and fiercely competitive races in women’s cycling. Its list of past champions reflects the diverse talents within the peloton. The 140km course, featuring undulating terrain and challenging climbs, is a dynamic stage for riders of all abilities, from sprinters to climbers, to showcase their skills.
This year also marks the festive 25th edition of the race.
You can follow the race from the start at 11:55 CET right through to the finish around 16:00 CET with the live ticker in the new Pro Cycling Women App on Android or iPhone!
What happened last year?
In the 2023 edition, the peloton began their 139km journey at noon and for the first hour, the peloton stick together closely, not letting anyone go into a breakaway.
The second hour, little after 38km of racing Loes Adegeest, Eleonora Ciabocco and Karlijn Swinkels attacked the peloton and gained minutes over the peloton, who agreed to have the three up front.
With 40km left to the finish line in Cittiglio, Adegeest, Ciabocco, and Swinkels, were chased back by the bunch led by Trek Segafredo, Jumbo Visma and Team SdWorx. Shirin van Anrooij attacked hard, taking six riders with her. The peloton was really active trying to get the 7 riders back in the bunch. Six riders were caught but van Anrooij pushes ahead, building a lead as the peloton shrinks of the high speeds in the chase.
Multiple attacks trying to bridge to the solo rider are all stopped by the great teamwork of Trek-Segafredo. Approaching the final corner, van Anrooij maintains her lead, entering the last 300 meters. With a glance back, she sees her lead is secure and wins the 24th edition of Trofeo Alfredo Binda, with teammate Elisa Balsamo 23 seconds later finishing in second place and FDJ Suez rider Vittoria Guazzini in third.
The Parcours
Located in the northernmost part of Italy, with the Swiss border just 20km north of Maccagno, the race route offers stunning views along the shores of Lake Maggiore before heading inland towards the challenging finish circuit in Cittiglio. This circuit, featuring tough climbs like Casale and Orino, presents a significant challenge for riders. The addition of an extra lap in the 2024 edition promises to heighten the competition, ensuring an exhilarating spectacle for both participants and spectators.
While traditionally favoring GC-style riders and climbers, recent editions of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda have defied expectations with dramatic finishes and unexpected outcomes. The opening sections of the race, starting from Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca and tracing the picturesque coastline of Lake Maggiore, set the stage for early battles for position and breakaways.
As the peloton navigates through the undulating terrain, encountering climbs like Masciago Primo and intermediate sprints in Besozzo, strategic maneuvering and alliances shape the dynamics of the race. Upon entering the finishing circuit of 17,7km in Cittiglio, the repeated ascents of Casale and Orino become decisive battlegrounds, where teams with strong climbers aim to break free and establish decisive leads.
There will be Queen of the Mountain points awarded to the riders crossing the summit line at the GPM of Masciago at km 17, the GPM Casale at kms 55,2, 90,6 and 126 but also on the GPM of Orino at km 79,8 and 115,2.
Km 7,3, 37,4 and 57,3 all have lines for the intermediate sprints.
The final kilometers, characterized by a thrilling descent into Cittiglio and a flat finish, set the stage for a stunning conclusion, where the strongest sprinters fight for victory amidst the remnants of a reduced peloton. However, the unpredictable nature of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda ensures that until the last pedal stroke, the outcome remains uncertain, promising a spectacle of excitement and intrigue for cycling aficionados worldwide.
The favorites
Shirin van Anrooij of Lidle-Trek wants to succeed her 2023 victory and win the Italian classic for the second consecutive time. If it comes down to a sprint with a reduced bunch, then Elisa Balsamo has a great shot of the win. The Italian Champion of Lidl-Trek won the race in Cittiglio in 2022. Her strong finish in second place in Drenthe shows that she is in a good shape and her training to ride well uphill pays off.
For Elena Cecchini Trofeo Alfredo Binda is always an important goal. The ride from Team Sdworx-Protime is always performing well in her home country and in Varese. If it comes down to a sprint, then she hopes to get a lead out by Barbara Guarischi. But the Dutch team has more tricks up their sleeve. With Marlen Reusser and Niamh Fisher Black on the start line they can play their cards in any race situation.
The Canyon//Sram Racing’s Ricarda Bauernfeind is a rider to watch. The Young German rider won a stage in last year’s Tour de France Femmes and already proved to herself and her team that she is capable enough to attack the peloton and beat Marlen Reusser. Another winner in the team is Antonia Niedermayer. Her win in last year’s Giro Donne was her breakthrough and has a shot for the win in Italy.
All eyes would also go to Italian rider Marta Cavalli of FDJ Suez. Although it’s her first race of the season after an injury of her pelvis during a training camp, we will have to wait and see how her form is. The French team will start with a strong line-up and also has multiple cards to play.
Ronde van Drenthe saw Puck Pieterse ride like she is riding in the peloton already for many years. Her mature way of racing makes people forget she is only 21 years old and debuts this season on the road in the Women’s WorldTour. The Mountainbike and Cyclocross Champion is the big outsider who is not really an outsider anymore. The peloton will be watching her every move.
The Weather ☁️
Spring is in the air in Italy! As the Magnolias will be in full bloom the weather is soft with a predicted maximum temperature of 17 degrees Celsius during the day. Little rain is expected early morning so, it will not affect the race.
The wind, 🌬 blowing from South, South East is weak with 6-11km/h and with the trees on the hill side will not play a part in the race.