Evenepoel targets European road title in Slovenia after World Championship setback

The 2026 European Cycling Championships in Slovenia feature the elite men's road race, with Remco Evenepoel positioned as a primary favorite. Evenepoel seeks to redeem himself following a disappointing performance at the World Championships in Montreal, where he finished 12th. He and Belgian national coach Serge Pauwels have dismissed theories regarding illness or excessive weight as reasons for his recent struggle, attributing it instead to a simple “bad day” in terms of feeling.

The race course, spanning approximately 196 km from Ljubljana to Šenčur, includes a challenging circuit with five ascents of the Mozjanca climb, which features gradients of up to 15.8%. The absence of defending champion Tadej Pogačar, who is sidelined due to injuries sustained during the Vuelta a España, has widened the field of potential contenders. Other notable riders include Primož Roglič, Giulio Ciccone, Juan Ayuso, and Mads Pedersen.

In the women's junior category, Matilde Rossignoli leads an Italian squad with high ambitions. The event continues to draw significant attention as riders compete for the continental titles on a demanding terrain.