A LEADOUT

Trofeo Alfredo Binda 2023 preview highlights of some of the past winners, the contenders for 2023 and finally some brief thoughts of the main Velogames choices. The 24th edition of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda - Comune di Cittiglio is also race number 5 of the Velogames Women's classics. Trofeo Alfredo Binda 2023 previews highlights some of the past winners, what to expect from this year's edition and some velogames picks.

Trofeo Alfredo Binda winners

Marianne Vos is the co-record holder winner of this race with 4 wins (2009, 2010, 2012 and 2019). This year she will be starting her season at the Italian race following surgery. Elizabeth Deignan and Elisa Longo Borghini are both double winners of the race as well but will both be missing due to being on maternity leave and Covid recovery respectively. 2017 winner Coryn Labecki, 2018 winner, Katarzyna Niewadoma and defending champion Elisa Balsamo will both however be at the start.

Trofeo Alfredo Binda 2023 preview

With each edition incorporating only slight changes, Trofeo Alfredo Binda is characterised by its up and down hilly parcours. Puncheurs using the hills to attack and trying to stay away, while sprinters either try to hold on or get back in more favourable terrain.

The 139 km will be the scene of constant battle between puncheurs team trying to make it harder and harder as the days go by for their main rider to finally place an attack and create a select group who hope to finally stay away. On the other hand, 2 teams in particular Team SD Workx and Team Jumbo Visma will be hoping to keep things under control and keep the chase on for their sprinters, Lorena Wiebes and Marianne Vos. The latter is making her comeback and not much is known about her form and Team Jumbo Visma has other fast girls like Coryn Labecki and Karlijn Swinkels.

Trek Segafredo comes with a very interesing 5 women short squad who could all win in their own distinct style. Elisa Balsamo along with being a good sprinter, never finds a bit of elevating terrain which could eliminate Lorena Wiebes. Amanda Spratt has already shown earlier this year that she is back to her best and will be able to follow the best climber easily. Brodie Chapman is a very powerful rider who always seems to have some energy left for a late attack. Gaia Realini is another new addition to the team and has already impressed in the mountains in UAE and has already won a race Trofeo Oro two weeks ago after going away with team mate Amanda Spratt. U 23 CX champion, Shirin Van Anrooij has already made a good impression on road cycling last year, though she is yet to win a race. Her form last week working for Balsamo was good and the profile of this terrain might reward her punchy style.

Katarzyna Niewiadoma is now in her fourth season without a win. Her from as seen at Strade Bianche is excellent with a 6th place and her dry run could stop here. Pauliena Roojiakers is another option for team Canyon // Sram. Alexandra Manly is a climber from Team Jayco AlUla who also packs a good sprint and will be definitely be part of the finale. While Ruby Roseman Ganon is the other sprinter, who prefers flatter terrain, Ane Santesteban and Urska Zigart prefer longer climbs. Movistar, in the absence of Annemiek Van Vleuten, Lianne Lippert and Emma Norsgaard will be backing Arlenis Sierra, an exceptional puncheur who could get over the climbs and has a devastating sprint.

Silvia Persico is the main rider UAE team ADQ who excels at climbing and sprinting. While her form in this early season is not as good as it was last year, She will still be able to challenge and finish among the top 10. Mikayla Harvey is another option for the team though her form so far has not been good at UAE tour and Strade Bianche. Juliette Labous is team DSM best climber here and an attack on the last climb is expected from her but it is 19 year old Elise Uijen who really attracted attention with her power in Valenciana. Marta Lach and Ariana Fidanza both excellent on this sort of terrain, will be forming an impressive duo team Ceratizit WNT pro, capable of sprinting to Top 10 spots.

Yara Kastelijn and Petra Stiasny of Fenix Deceuninck and Niamh Fischer-Black from Team SD Workx are all good climbers capable of striving here. Mavi Garcia from Liv Racing is a pure climber who nevertheless impressed with her 11th place finish at Strade Bianche and will have the full support of her team. Marta Cavalli is back and would be an outright contender for this race was it not it being her comeback race following a short lay off as she was still recovering from last season's trauma. is possibly the best puncheur in the world and her form at Strade Bianche makes her one of the ourtight favourite. Instead Grace Brown and Evita Muzic are both very good options that any team would love to also have.

Trofeo Alfredo Binda 2023 preview for Velogames

20+ riders

• Lorena Wiebes   Team SD Worx   28 :    She normally would not be able to survive this sort of terrain, but her move to Team SD Workx has been an instant hit and with the backing of a very strong team , she might be able to make it back for a final sprint
• Elisa Balsamo     Trek - Segafredo 28 :          She is struggling to compete against Team SD Workx and Wiebes this season. The undulating parcours favours her and she should be in the main group for a sprint. But a little group might still be ahead of her.
• Marta Cavalli      FDJ Suez               26           Very brave and bold to pick at 26, with climbs necessating aggression, something she will not be very fond of doing
• Marianne Vos    Team Jumbo-Visma         24 :          Her comeback race following a pelvic artery surgery, she did not look great in CX last season, but her surgery is minor and she will be among the contenders here.
• Katarzyna Niewiadoma  Canyon//SRAM Racing   24:           An obvious choice to be able to follow any attacks on the climb. She could also sprint in the finale for a top 10 spot ina bigger group.
• Arlenis Sierra      Movistar Team   20 :         Main leader for Movistar and climbs are short enough for her to make it over the top.

14-18

• Grace Brown      FDJ Suez               18 :           She enjoyed herself on this sort of terrain in all stages at Tour Down Under
• Mavi García         Liv Racing TeqFind            18  :         She has the experience to play it well to contend for the finish
• Amanda Spratt  Trek - Segafredo 14 :   How hard can she make it on the climb to go away in a small group who would then have to collaborate to stay away. Climbs might be too short and Balsamo sprinting from a group having dropped Wiebes seems like a better option for the team
• Silvia Persico       UAE Team ADQ  14 :          She will be among the contenders while her climbing is not at the very best, she should get away with it with just 3.3km of ascent on every loop.
• Pauliena Rooijakkers       Canyon//SRAM Racing   14  :         She will be the first to ignite things to set up Niewiadoma
• Juliette Labous  Team DSM           14   :        Not at her best climbing conditions so far, but form can hit.

12

• Kristen Faulkner Team Jayco AlUla              12 :          She was impressive at Strade Bianche who suited her better, will be trying another long range effort
• Alexandra Manly              Team Jayco AlUla       12 :          A very sound option who can sprint and hold on on climbs
• Ane Santesteban              Team Jayco AlUla              12           Will have no difficulty in the climbs but she might not be powerful enough when it get flat.
• Coryn Labecki     Team Jumbo-Visma         12 ;          Will be working for Vos
• Mischa Bredewold           Team SD Worx   12 ;          Should be working to keep Wiebes in contention. Might try something if leader is dropped.
• Niamh Fisher-Black          Team SD Worx   12;           Will have a free pass to try her chance from the front.
• Brodie Chapman               Trek - Segafredo 12;           Will either be setting high pace for Spratt to launch or be leading Balsamo to a sprint.
• Shirin Van Anrooij            Trek - Segafredo 12;           Aggressive rider who will try to attack but might will not be able to pull it off on her own.
• Yara Kastelijn      Fenix-Deceuninck             12;           one of the better climber here

8-10

• Evita Muzic         FDJ Suez               10 ;          10 credits is really a bargain deal for a rider who finished 8th at Le Tour De France general. She is only starting her season though.
• Karlijn Swinkels Team Jumbo-Visma         10 ;          Another sprinting option for the team.
• Ruby Roseman-Gannon Team Jayco AlUla              8  ;           She will have her chances if she can hold up, but will unlikely be able to outlive Wiebes.
• Mikayla Harvey  UAE Team ADQ  8  ;           Good climber. Not in great form though.
• Arianna Fidanza CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling          8     ;        Good sprinter who prefers climbs over cobbles. Has already won this season beating Emma Noorsgard in a reduced sprint.
• Marta Lach          CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling          8     ;        More of sprinter and enjoy climbs less than Fidanza.

4-6

• Urška Žigart        Team Jayco AlUla              6 ;            Will be hard to drop on climbs but does not have the power on flat.
• Gaia Realini         Trek - Segafredo 6 ;            Already one of the best climbers in the world, she will not enjoy the descending and flat finish unless she goes away alone with Spratt again.
• Justine Ghekiere               AG Insurance - Soudal Quick-Step              6 ;            Fierce enough to hold on of she manages to get away.
• Elise Uijen           Team DSM           4   ;          Watch out for her, her performance at Valenciana on this sort of terrain in the last stage was impressive.
• Kim Cadzow       Team Jumbo-Visma         4     ;        Assist for Vos
• Sina Frei               Team SD Worx   4  ;           Assist for Wiebes
• Petra Stiasny      Fenix-Deceuninck             4     ;        Excellent climber who can climb with the Elites.