Azzurra Ballan wins junior women's European cycling title

Azzurra Ballan won the junior women's road cycling race at the European Championships in Slovenia, securing Italy's first gold medal of the youth competition. The 18-year-old, daughter of former world champion Alessandro Ballan, secured the victory in a sprint finish following a decisive breakaway of four riders.

Ballan outperformed French rider Morgane Lestrade, who took second place, and German rider Klara Dworatzek, who finished third. The race took place on a 66-kilometer circuit in Šenčur, featuring three climbs of the Mozjanca ascent.

This victory marks the sixth continental title for Italy in this category. Other Italian riders included in the competition were Elisa Bianchi, who finished fifth, and Matilde Rossignoli, who placed eleventh.