For Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo), it has been a great week by any measure. Having already won the Trofeo Alfredo Binda last weekend and the mid-week Classic Brugge des Pannees, the world champion completed an impressive hat-trick of sprint wins in Ghent-Wevelgem.

The Italian was supported by a strong Trek-Segafredo team throughout the afternoon, but after safely passing the final climb of the Kemmelberg, the lead group suffered a temporary split with 12km to go.

Balsamo, whose teammate Ellen van Dijk was recalled to help Elisa Longo Borghini and Shirin van Anlooy hold the two groups together, was joined by Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) on the Vanackeresort and Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Serratigit - WNT Pro Cycling Team) to seal the deal.

"I panicked a little bit, but the coach on the machine was very good, he talked to us and Ellen stopped.

"There is a little bit of pressure with such a strong group of racers working for me. I knew it was going to be a hard race with a sprint at the end and I was feeling good, so I decided to give the sprint my all."

A year ago, the 24-year-old Balsamo, wearing the colors of Valcar Travel & Service, finished fourth in Ghent-Wevelgem. Trek-Segafredo's lineup is loaded with stars, but her form in the early stages of the 2022 campaign meant that the team's Ghent-Wevelgem challenge would be built around her.

"We are a really strong team and we believe in each other. I think we won these three races because we were the best team and I want to say thank you to all my teammates. We really like to help each other out and I feel like we are a team working together for one big result."

Balsamo's string of successes makes it clear that she is the clear favorite to win next Sunday's Tour de Flanders. She said, "I don't want to think about it right now, I just need some rest."

Balsamo, who has now won five races since becoming world champion in Leuven last September, will follow in the footsteps of teammate Lizzie Dayagnan and wear the rainbow jersey to the Ronde. This famous garment seems to be an inspiration rather than a burden.

"It's not an easy jersey to wear, but during the race I'm so focused on the race that I almost forget I have it with me. It's a little harder before and after the race, but during the race I almost forget I have this jersey."