TREK-SEGAFREDO
Country: USA Number of riders: 14 Under-26: 5 Over-35: 0
Key stat: The current road and time trial world champions are both on the team
How was the off-season?
Already vying with Sdworx for top spot in the world, the team have brought in two proven winners to augment their squad. World champion Elisa Balsamo is still improving, but the only reason American Leah Thomas hasn’t won more is because she has been in the shadow of Annemiek van Vleuten while at Movistar. Biggest challenge?
The introduction of the Tour de France Femmes makes this a big year for the women’s sport and as one of the top two teams Trek-segafredo will want to perform well come July. However, while Elisa Longo Borghini is aggressive and an excellent climber, a bad day has often ruined her chances of success at long stage races.
Though Lizzie Deignan was the team’s top finisher at last year’s Giro Donne, the team do not have a plethora of GC options, and with the Giro and Tour both taking place in July, the season’s biggest races could prove trying for the team.
Woman on the spot?
She may be wearing the rainbow bands but Elisa Balsamo is yet to establish herself among the top echelon of sprinters. At Valcar Travel and Service she benefited from a very well drilled lead-out, but at Trek-segafredo she may not have that if the team has simultaneous goals.
Ones to watch?
While the established riders might steal all the headlines 19-year-old Shirin van Anrooij has had an excellent CX season and is capable of converting opportunities. After finding her feet following her 2020 broken leg and her collarbone, we can also expect Elynor Bäckstedt to show herself.