World champion Elisa Balsamo not only won the first stage of the Giro d'Italia Donne debut, but also took the maglia rosa in her home town. In Thursday's prologue, Balsamo was in third place, just six seconds behind winner Kristen Faulkner (Team Bike Exchange-Jayco). On Friday, she was led by Elisa Longo Bogini, who overtook Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) for the win in the Tortoli finish. Balsamo won the road world title in Leuven last September after a sprint win over Vos.

"It was a really hard sprint. My teammates were there from the first kilometer to the last kilometer. I know Marianne is a superstar. She's like a role model for me in the peloton, and it's always fun to sprint with her. I came to Sardinia to wear the pink jersey." Italy has produced a number of talented riders in the women's peloton over the past few years, and this year's Giro Donne could be the best chance for an Italian rider to win the Maria Rosa since 2008. Balsamo will be wearing the pink jersey from the beginning of the race, and the home crowd's expectations will be high. My dream has come true,'' said Balsamo. I'm very happy today. Tomorrow I want to enjoy the pink jersey. For an Italian rider, wearing the pink jersey is of course a dream come true, and I'm very happy. Balsamo was able to wear the iconic jersey thanks in part to his strong time trial performance in the previous stage. Yesterday's time trial was very important," he said. Yesterday's race was very good and I was only six seconds behind Faulkner. With a tough mountain stage at the end of the race, it is unlikely that Balsamo will bring the maglia rosa back to Cuneo, but he could well keep the jersey after Sunday's rest day when the race moves from the island to the mainland. I will work hard to keep this jersey, but I really wanted it today." The Giro d'Italia Donne continues on Saturday with the final stage on the island of Sardinia, a 113.4-km stage between Cala Gonone and Olbia.