Remco Evenepoel, the 2024 Olympic road racing gold medallist, claimed the European championship title on Sunday, October 4, 2026, in a thrilling photo-finish victory. The Belgian cyclist edged out Italian rider Giulio Ciccone at the finish line in Slovenia. This win comes after Evenepoel's disappointment in the world championships earlier in the month, where he finished with the elite group trailing winner Brandon McNulty.
The race, held in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, was missing some of the biggest names in cycling, including Tadej Pogacar, who won the race 12 months ago but was absent due to injury. Despite not competing, Pogacar was still present, appearing from the window of a car on the route, much to the delight of local fans. Other notable riders like Jonas Vingegaard, Paul Seixas, Tom Pidcock, and Mathieu van der Poel were also absent.
Evenepoel, the 2022 world champion, expressed his relief and joy at securing the European title. He mentioned that this performance was tough for him after the disappointment of the worlds. The win completes his championship jerseys, and he feels amazing about it. As a two-time European time trial gold medallist, in 2019 and 2025, this victory adds to his impressive collection.
The race covered a distance of 196km, with 36km to go when Evenepoel launched his attack, followed closely by Ciccone. The pair then entered the final kilometres, with Ciccone slowing down to conserve energy. Evenepoel took advantage but slid on the tarmac on a corner; however, he managed to catch up with Ciccone. The two riders were neck and neck until the end in Sencur.
The location of the final laps was Sencur, where riders completed five laps of 22.1km. The setting was picturesque, with the Alps providing a stunning backdrop. In the end, Evenepoel's photo-finish victory secured his European-worlds double, having finished second in the continental race in 2021 and last year.
Giulio Ciccone's compatriot Christian Scaroni finished third, almost a minute behind the top two riders. Evenepoel's victory was a significant achievement, considering he was the pre-race favourite. The Belgian cyclist had to overcome the disappointment of not claiming the world crown earlier in the month.
This European championship title marks a significant milestone for Evenepoel, who continues to demonstrate his prowess in the cycling world. The victory is a testament to his resilience and determination, especially after a tough few weeks.
Key points
- Remco Evenepoel won the European road cycling championship with a photo-finish victory over Giulio Ciccone.
- The race was held in Slovenia, with Evenepoel completing his championship jerseys with this victory.
- Evenepoel overcame the disappointment of not claiming the world crown earlier in the month to secure the European title.
