2026 Trofeo Alfredo Binda Preview

 I'm feeling a bit rusty...


Hills on hills on hills...a circuit in the Lombardy region of Italy. There's over 2000m of climbing in 150+ km of racing. The start list is high quality, so I don't see much chance for a surprise winner here. None of the climbs are long, and none are consistently steep, but these types of races tend to be taken very aggressively by the peloton, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the winning group get away before the penultimate climb.

Contenders

ELISA LONGO-BOURGHINI -- Once again very fast in the early season, she already has the overall in the UAE plus the Jabel Hafeet stage. Was one of the strongest in Strade, but suffered from a mucked-up finale. Plus, she took a dominant win on an easier parcours in Italy last weekend, I don't see why she shouldn't be the favorite, especially with such a strong support group.

KASIA NIEWIADOMA -- With Vollering missing out on the final in Strade with a mechanical, she looked to be the favorite until a tactically poor finale in the last 300m in Siena. Well-beaten on the Jabel Hafeet in UAE, but no long climbs here, which is probably a more favorable scenario. There's no Vollering on the startlist, so this could be the best chance for an early season win.

PUCK PIETERSE -- Good, but a bit on the backfoot the last two weeks coming off CX season. Should only get better with more racing, but more than a podium here might be a bit too ambitious for now.

CAT FERGUSON -- Not this year, not on this parcours, not against this startlist. Check back in 2027 or 2028

ISABELLA HOLMGREN -- See previous

LOTTE KOPECKY -- Still looking to put a subpar 2025 season in the rearview mirror; I don't see that happening here

MAGDELEINE VALLIERES -- Has raced well so far under the pressure of being world champion, but, as I have mentioned for a few others, I don't see a win in the cards with this startlist, but a top 5 is very probable.

Prediction

I think Canyon-Sram will have to take advantage of Vollering's absence and get a win for Niewiadoma.

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