Karlijn's Scream: Swinkels' Victory at the 2026 Trofeo Binda
Karlijn’s roar was more than a finish-line celebration: it was the perfect image of a hard, tense race built metre after metre until the decisive moment. At the 2026 Trofeo Alfredo Binda, shortened to 146 km because of snow, Karlijn Swinkels found the biggest day of her career in Cittiglio.
After the early attacks, the peloton was gradually reduced lap by lap until the key move formed on the final circuit. Alongside Swinkels were Silvia Persico, Eleonora Gasparrini, Anna van der Breggen, Mie Bjørndal Ottestad and Pfeiffer Georgi.
UAE Team ADQ used its numerical advantage, Van der Breggen attacked hard on the Casale and Orino, and Ottestad fought back more than once, but Swinkels stayed calm throughout. On the finishing straight, she delivered the best sprint, beating Van der Breggen and Ottestad for her first WorldTour victory.
