{"id":477077,"date":"2026-03-15T14:37:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T14:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/477077\/"},"modified":"2026-03-15T14:37:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T14:37:13","slug":"trofeo-alfredo-binda-live-will-it-be-a-climber-a-sprinter-or-a-solo-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/477077\/","title":{"rendered":"Trofeo Alfredo Binda LIVE – Will it be a climber, a sprinter or a solo move?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:34:05.261Z<\/p>\n

The pace is up, up, up. We’re already heading towards the climb to Orino after Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek) lit the touch paper.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:32:36.757Z<\/p>\n

If you didn’t know, Binda won the men\u2019s Giro d\u2019Italia five times between 1925 and 1933, a record he shares with Fausto Coppi and Eddy Merckx. He also won 41 Giro stages, three rainbow jerseys and Il Lombardia four times. Not bad!<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:30:48.798Z<\/p>\n

And why is the race called Trofeo Binda? Well, it\u2019s named after Alfredo Binda, one of the greatest riders of the sport\u2019s early days, who was born in Cittiglio, where we finish in 50km.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:28:56.632Z<\/p>\n

We’re onto the third lap now and the bunch is still together, though it is reduced significantly from the 137 women who started the day.
Three laps left.<\/p>\n

52km to go<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:27:00.750Z<\/p>\n

Before that it was even later in March and clashed with Gent-Wevelgem when that was a 1.2, third division race. When the Belgian race was promoted the Binda organisers were forced to switch.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:24:46.348Z<\/p>\n

The race has moved around the calendar over the years. Most recently Trofeo Binda was run on the Sunday after the men\u2019s Milan-Sanremo, but now we have a women\u2019s version of La Primavera again, the two races take place consecutive weekends.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:16:29.654Z<\/p>\n

Once again the peloton is at the top of the Orino climb. There’s a fast technical descent to follow, then a few kilometres on flat, wide roads until they cross the finish line again. This means any attacks on the final ascent must be decisive as teams can work together on the flat run in.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:12:39.627Z<\/p>\n

Liv-AlUla-Jayco are also at the front of the bunch now, despite Monica Trinca Colonel not starting today.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CITTIGLIO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T14:01:46.612Z<\/p>\n

For years Trofeo Binda was a lower level race, it only became part of the World Cup, then the top tier of women\u2019s racing, in 2008, joining the Women\u2019s WorldTour when that was created in 2016.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:58:22.727Z<\/p>\n

The pace is up and Hannah Ludwig (Cofidis) is caught by the bunch on the approach to the Orino climb.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:55:43.562Z<\/p>\n

UAE Team ADQ riders Eleonora Gasparrini and Silvia Persico (no. 4) wrapped up against the cold damp weather. Both are able to win today.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CITTIGLIO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:51:12.491Z<\/p>\n

Because the race was shortened by almost 10km we are way ahead – almost 30 minutes – of the fastest schedule, though it\u2019s by no means a slow day out, with an average of over 41km\/h.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:48:32.142Z<\/p>\n

The punchy climb to Casale is a perfect launch pad for attacks. When Kasia Niewadoma won it was off the back of a series of moves there from her Canyon-SRAM team mates.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:46:44.573Z
\nLap two of five<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:45:44.663Z<\/p>\n

The peloton seem happy with Ludwig being up the road, she\u2019s still got 1.30 lead. UAE have a hugely strong team, with Longo Borghini the main threat but options for all scenarios among their number.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:34:41.771Z<\/p>\n

At 433m above sea level, Orino is the highest point on the closing circuit. The climb the peloton have just tackled is 4km with ramps of 10% and some tight hairpin bends. Ludwig still leads on the descent.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:31:23.778Z<\/p>\n

We’re heading onto the Orino climb now and still Ludwig leads the way. The German rider is very strong and a decent climber, though if the action kicks off on the climb behind her she’ll struggle to stay away.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:26:26.435Z<\/p>\n

Though there is no men\u2019s equivalent race, Trofeo Binda is a historic, prestigious event. The first edition was held in 1974, making it the oldest race on the entire Women\u2019s WorldTour calendar. The only year the race was not held was 2020, during the pandemic, making this the 53rd edition.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:24:16.997Z<\/p>\n

The climb to Casale isn’t a long one, only 800m long it averages 7% gradient, though there are ramps of 10%.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:18:14.657Z<\/p>\n

We’re now on the first of five closing laps. Each of them is 17.6km in distance and contains two climbs, one at Casale and the traditional climb to Orino. Ludwig still leads.<\/p>\n

88km to go<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:13:44.639Z<\/p>\n

Other double winners include Valeria Cappellotto, Fabiana Luperini and, of course, Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ). Indeed, the race is a local one for Longo Borghini, who lives close to Verbania, a ferry ride across Lake Maggiore. This year is her 13th edition, so she’s closing on Spratt’s record.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:09:43.450Z<\/p>\n

We’re on the single long lap now, ascending to Orino for the first time, though this time in the opposite direction to the five closing laps which come later on.
With 95km to go Ludwig is still up the road.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:05:21.663Z<\/p>\n

UAE Team ADQ lead the peloton while Ludwig’s lead is static at around 1.45.<\/p>\n

100km remaining<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T13:04:00.346Z<\/p>\n

Amanda Spratt holds the record for the mosts starts at Trofeo Binda with 15. The Australian retires at the end of the year and we spoke to her at the recent UAE Tour. Read it here.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"CITTIGLIO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:57:48.299Z<\/p>\n

The race seems to attract riders who can take multiple wins and some big names have won Trofeo Binda on two occasions. The recently retired Lizzie Deignan the most recent British woman to bag two wins after Emma Pooley and Nicole Cooke.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:52:16.916Z<\/p>\n

With 106km to go it looks like we have a breakaway! Hannah Ludwig (Cofidis) leads the peloton by just under two minutes.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CITTIGLIO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:45:38.741Z<\/p>\n

No sooner did we mention Megan Arens and she suffered a crash.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CITTIGLIO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:43:18.412Z<\/p>\n

One favourite not on our list is Puck Pieterse. The Fenix-Premier Tech rider\u2019s late inclusion was announced on the team\u2019s social media. She might have been a late addition, but she has the all-around abilities to win in a number of ways.<\/p>\n

Our report is here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

\"LUINO,\n<\/p>\n

Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) signs on ahead of the 2026 Trofeo Binda. (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:37:51.711Z<\/p>\n

There’s still no breakaway able to form<\/p>\n

115km to go<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:33:10.541Z<\/p>\n

Check out the result from Piccolo Trofeo Binda here, thanks to First Cycling<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:31:06.585Z<\/p>\n

Piccolo Binda has attracted some big names over the years, winners include Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), Pfeiffer Georgi (Picnic-PostNL), Cat Ferguson (Movistar) and current Junior World time trial Champion, Megan Arens (Picnic-PostNL). Arens, Georgi and Ferguson are all riding today.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:26:05.928Z<\/p>\n

The day also includes a Junior women\u2019s race, the Piccolo Trofeo Alfredo Binda – Valli de Verbano, which forms part of the UCI\u2019s Junior Women\u2019s Nations Cup. They also started in Luino earlier this morning, racing 72.7km to Cittiglio with Mathilde Rossignoli (BFT Burzoni VO2 Team Pink) taking the win.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:24:20.137Z<\/p>\n

There is no breakaway yet. The route is likely to be attritional so the selection could be from the back as opposed to the front.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:20:23.158Z<\/p>\n

There are other favourites than those previous winners. You can find out who we think is likely to succeed in Cittiglio by reading our preview here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:16:41.699Z
\n130km to go<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:13:22.588Z<\/p>\n

We have four previous winners in the race this year. Lidl-Trek rider, Shirin van Anrooij won in 2023, Vos in 2009, 10, 12 and \u201919, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto) won a rainy 2018 edition and Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) has two wins to her name, in 2013 and \u201921.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:10:12.269Z<\/p>\n

The Partenza Reale is given, the race is on!<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:05:06.862Z<\/p>\n

This is the sixth race of this year\u2019s Women\u2019s WorldTour, hot on the heels of probably the hardest fought edition of Strade Bianche ever last weekend. That was won by Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) and you can find out how she did it here.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/strade-bianche-women-elise-chabbey-lands-surprise-victory-in-electric-conclusion-to-a-thriller-in-tuscany\/<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:02:31.921Z<\/p>\n

Clearly the rain which fell yesterday was snow on the higher ground, but today’s weather should be OK, remaining dry with a high temperature of 13\u00ba. The forecast 12km\/h winds shouldn\u2019t affect the race too much.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T12:01:07.977Z<\/p>\n

We’ve just heard the route has been modified after overnight snow. We’ll skip the first climb, Masciago Primo, which was to come after 29km, shortening the route to just 146km.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:58:57.950Z
\nRacing is underway<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:55:10.842Z<\/p>\n

We roll out from Luino at 13:00 CET, in around five minutes, before tackling 3.8km of neutral before the race proper gets under way.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:49:34.477Z<\/p>\n

After a loop around the start town on the shores of Lake Maggiore, we head inland, over the first classified climb, then onto one lap of an anticlockwise circuit. Crossing the line with 88km to go, they then race five hilly laps of 17.6km, with climbs at Casale and the one at Orino the main obstacles.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:40:21.440Z<\/p>\n

Thalita de Jong is exactly the kind of punchy all-rounder who could win today, here the Human Powered Health rider signs on before the start.<\/p>\n

\n

\"LUINO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:34:13.730Z<\/p>\n

Trofeo Binda has started in a fair few different locations over the years, but the race has settled on the same closing circuit which includes the Orino climb.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:29:53.105Z<\/p>\n

The riders are currently signing on in Luino. Here the UNO-X Mobility squad pose for the crowds.<\/p>\n

\n

\"LUINO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:26:58.782Z<\/p>\n

Whatever the scenario, reading how last year\u2019s race panned out will give you a taste of how today might evolve, and you can read how Balsamo won in our race report here.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/races\/trofeo-alfredo-binda-comune-di-cittiglio-2025\/elite-women\/results\/<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:23:51.648Z<\/p>\n

One such punchy sprinter is Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) who won the race for the third time last year. She\u2019s not riding today, so she can’t match the record of four wins Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) shares with Maria Canins, though Vos is present so could easily make it five!<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:17:23.970Z<\/p>\n

The peloton are set for a lumpy old route, with climbs all day long and more than 2,300m of vertical ascent. Despite some gradients over 10%, none of the climbs are too long or too hard, making the race one for a wide variety of riders from climbers to punchy sprinters.<\/p>\n

2026-03-15T11:08:04.644Z<\/p>\n

We\u2019re in north-western Italy, north of Milan on the east side of Lake Maggiore for today\u2019s 152.7km race between Luino and the event\u2019s spiritual home of Cittiglio, a few kilometres inland from the lakeside town of Laveno Mombello, which used to host the race start.<\/p>\n

2026-03-06T18:48:58.743Z<\/p>\n

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda Comune di Cittiglio.<\/p>\n

Please follow our community guidelines<\/a>.” data-join-the-conversation-text=”Join the Conversation”><\/p>\n

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