Blanka Vas rides the Trofeo Alfredo Binda for the first time in her career

Blanka Vas rides the Trofeo Alfredo Binda for the first time in her career

‘I hope to take a new step this year’

14/03/2025

Blanka Vas is taking a new approach this season. A less intensive cross winter, allowing her to ride a full spring programme. ‘At such one-day races, you only have one chance to win. This season, my classic campaign is mainly about gaining experience. Many races I am riding for the first time, but who knows what is possible on a good day...,’ said the 23-year-old Hungarian champion.

Linked cyclists Blanka Vas

Blanka Vas: ‘After a good cyclocross season, I am very much looking forward to the spring. Since I rode fewer cyclocross races during the winter, my rest period could be shorter. Winning the cross in Maasmechelen last winter gave me a lot of confidence. I now realise that anything is possible, as long as you believe in it hard enough and work for it.’

‘Unfortunately, my road season started on a false note in the Strade Bianche. I punctured on the second gravel stretch when the peloton just broke into pieces. A very bad moment. Because the groups were so spread out, I had to wait two minutes for a wheel. For an hour I rode between the cars and fought to get back. I got to within 15 seconds, but unfortunately I didn't manage to get back in front. Very unfortunate. It was a good and long interval training, but of course I had hoped for more.’

‘The Trofeo Alfredo Binda is an ideal race ahead of Milan-Sanremo. It could be a sprint, but because of the climbs it's tough either way. We have more than one leader. We have a team that is strong across the board. Steffi Häberlin and Anna van der Breggen are strong on the climbs. Femke Gerritse is in great shape and has the best sprint. If I have good legs and a bit of luck, I too am an option. We will try to make use of our overall strength.’

‘2024 was a great year for me’ Vas looks back. ‘I was able to ride my first Tour de France Femmes and immediately won a stage. I also remember my strong performance in the Olympic road race, where I fell just short of the medals. I learnt a lot and gained confidence. So do I hope to add a classic to my palmares this season? In the future that would be a nice goal, but this year I'm riding a lot of races for the first time. In terms of course knowledge, that's a disadvantage. Of course you explore beforehand, but that's not the same as under the race itself. I get to ride the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Milan-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and the Amstel Gold Race, all beautiful classics. I hope to get some good results and help the team in the finals. Starting with the Trofeo Alfredo Binda.’

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