Giro d'Italia Women: Elisa Balsamo powers to hat-trick victory on stage 3 with searing uphill sprint

Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek secured a commanding third consecutive stage victory at the Giro d’Italia Women by winning stage 3 in an intense uphill sprint finish in Buja. After a challenging day marked by a decisive climb at Montenars that fragmented the general classification contenders, a reduced peloton regrouped for the final push. Norwegian rider Sigrid Ytterhus Haugset launched a late breakaway but was reeled in on the uphill finish, where Balsamo outpaced rivals Lily Williams and Femke Gerritse to claim the stage win and extend her overall lead in the maglia rosa. The 156km stage began on the Adriatic coast in Bibione and featured a demanding 43.4km circuit around Buja, including the steep Montenars climb. Early on, a six-rider breakaway established a lead of up to three minutes, but the peloton steadily increased the pace, especially on the climbs, reeling in the escapees with 26km remaining. The race’s intensity peaked on the Montenars ascent, where FDJ United-Suez’s Célia Géry set a punishing tempo that splintered the front group and tested the riders’ endurance ahead of the final circuit. Balsamo praised her team’s relentless work throughout the stage, highlighting the support from GC leaders Niamh Fisher-Black and Isabella Holmgren in the closing kilometres. Despite the punishing climb, Balsamo remained confident thanks to prior course reconnaissance and fought hard to maintain contact with the leading group. Her tactical awareness and sprinting prowess ultimately enabled her to surge past Williams in the final 120 metres, securing a well-earned victory and reinforcing her position atop the overall standings ahead of the upcoming mountain time trial. The stage’s outcome underscores Balsamo’s growing dominance in this edition of the Giro d’Italia Women and sets the tone for the challenging stages ahead. With the mountain time trial looming on stage 4, the competition among the GC favourites is expected to intensify, as riders seek to close gaps and challenge Balsamo’s lead. The race remains wide open, but Balsamo’s combination of sprint speed and climbing resilience makes her a formidable contender as the event progresses.