Balsamo makes it four at the Giro after superb Lidl-Trek lead-out

Stage 6 was always likely to end in a bunch sprint, with the 160-kilometre route featuring just 765 metres of elevation. The flat parcours kept the sprinters’ teams in control for much of the day, although crosswinds briefly threatened to disrupt the peloton midway through the stage.

The finale proved more demanding than the profile suggested. A technical run-in, twisting roads and a headwind into Brescello made positioning crucial, with the fight for the front intensifying inside the final six kilometres. Liv AlUla Jayco and Fenix-Premier Tech were prominent in the closing stages, but it was Lidl-Trek who delivered the decisive move.

Lucinda Brand produced a powerful lead-out in the final kilometre, guiding Balsamo into the ideal position before the Italian launched her sprint and powered clear to take another stage victory.

Stage 6 of the Giro d’Italia Women began quietly, with the flat nature of the route making a bunch sprint the expected outcome.

Even so, four Italian riders went clear early in the day: Gaia Segato and Irene Cagnazzo of Vini Fantini-BePink, Sharon Spimi of Top Girls Fassa Bortolo, and Camilla Bezzone of Team Mendelspeck-E-Work.

The quartet built a maximum advantage of around four minutes, but the peloton never allowed the move too much freedom. Lidl-Trek, Fenix-Premier Tech and Uno-X Mobility were among the teams contributing to the chase, intent on setting up a sprint finish.

With 60 kilometres remaining, the race briefly sparked into life as echelons formed in the peloton. Demi Vollering was among the most notable riders caught out in a split, while Urška Žigart, Kristen Faulkner, Marlen Reusser and Femke De Vries were also distanced.

The danger did not last long. The peloton regrouped with 47 kilometres to go, shortly after the breakaway had been brought back with 55 kilometres remaining.

The sprint teams then resumed control as the race approached Brescello. With 20 kilometres to go, Giorgia Serena launched a late attack and quickly opened a gap of more than 55 seconds. Her move forced the sprinters’ teams to lift the pace, and she was caught with nine kilometres remaining.

From there, attention turned fully to positioning. The final five kilometres featured several turns, and tension rose as the peloton fought for space. A crash occurred inside the final kilometre at the entry to a roundabout, bringing down several riders.

At the front, however, Lidl-Trek remained in command. Brand delivered Balsamo into prime position, and the Italian finished the job with a commanding sprint to secure her fourth stage win of the race.