While the women's peloton will welcome the spring classic at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda on Sunday, two-time winner Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo) will not be on the start line for the Varese due to an infection with COVID-19.

The Italian, who finished 12th last year and wore the number 1 jersey as champion, explained her absence from the US team lineup for the 24th edition on Twitter on Thursday.

Longo Borghini was competing in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad after winning the first UAE Tour Women's event in February. She developed COVID-19 and missed out on competing in Strade Bianche earlier this month.

"I am very sad to skip another race that I really like, a "home race" for me," explained Longo Borghini, who hails from the other side of Lake Maggiore.

"I tested positive for COVID and slept for 10 days. Training has resumed a couple of days ago. I'll be back."

In Longo Borghini's absence, Trek-Segafredo will send a team of five women to the race.

Italian champion Balsamo, who won last year's Binda from a group sprint, will race with Amanda Spratt, Shirin van Unrooy, Gaia Lealini, and Brody Chapman.

Trek-Segafredo noted that Longo Borghini hopes to be up to speed for the cobbled classics, including the Tour de Flanders (April 2) and Paris-Roubaix Fam (April 8).

"We look forward to seeing her in Belgium in the coming weeks," the team announced.

In addition to Longo Borghini, Australian rider Lauretta Hansson also crashed at Nokele Koase on Wednesday, suffering multiple fractures.

"X-rays taken at a hospital in Oudenaarde after the crash revealed that Lauretta suffered multiple rib fractures, a left clavicle fracture, and a fracture of the left transverse process of the T1 (first thoracic vertebra)," the team said. [No surgery is required at this time. However, he is currently under observation at the hospital. He will be off the bike for at least six weeks until he can resume training."