Dream Gent-Wevelgem victory lifts Elisa Balsamo to Tour of Flanders favourite status

Four victories this year have proved the world champion’s versatility but also her development since joining Trek-Segafredo

World champion Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) celebrates after winning the 2022 edition of Ghent-Wevelgem
World champion Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) celebrates after winning the 2022 edition of Ghent-Wevelgem
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty)

Elisa Balsamo will head to next week’s Tour of Flanders as one of the favourites for the first women’s Monument of the 2022 season.

The world champion has been on stellar form this season, taking four wins already. Sunday’s imperious sprint victory at Gent-Wevelgem has marked her out as the peloton’s most successful sprinter of the year so far.

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Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.