Crash, attack and photo-finish victory: Evenepoel wins the European Championships

Remco Evenepoel has been crowned the 2026 European Road Champion after defeating Giulio Ciccone in a tightly contested two-man sprint that required a photo finish to determine the winner. The Belgian thus completed a race in which he was the main protagonist and even had to overcome a fall during the crucial phase.

Evenepoel is crowned European Champion after controlling the race 

The Elite men's event took place over 196.3 kilometers between Ljubljana and Šenčur, with much of the difficulty concentrated in the final circuit and, especially, in the climb to Mozjanca, which is 2.1 kilometers long and has an average gradient of over 10%.

Belgium took on much of the weight of the race around Evenepoel. The team progressively increased the pace, and the race ended up being selected in the successive ascents to Mozjanca.

Italy also moved its pieces, and it was precisely their acceleration that ultimately left Juan Ayuso out of the fight. The Spaniard began to lose contact on one of the climbs when there was still a long way to go and could not return to the favorites' group.

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With about 60 kilometers to go, Ramses Debruyne began to set a pace that reduced the main group to just about twenty riders. Belgium had Evenepoel well positioned and still retained Maxim Van Gils and Debruyne himself to accompany him in the decisive part.

A crash does not stop Evenepoel

The moment that could have completely changed the race came on the penultimate climb to Mozjanca. Ciccone attacked and Evenepoel responded with such force that he ended up entering a curve after the ascent too quickly. The Belgian fell, but was able to get up quickly and continue.

Ciccone was ahead, but did not exploit the situation. Van Gils and Debruyne helped Evenepoel return, and practically as soon as he linked back up, the Belgian attacked again.

This time Ciccone was the only one able to follow him. The two started the last 22-kilometer lap together with a 25-second lead over the chasing group.

The final ascent to Mozjanca confirmed the scenario. Evenepoel set a steady pace from the start, and Ciccone managed to stay on his wheel. Behind, Christian Scaroni stood out in the fight for bronze while the two leaders headed towards an inevitable head-to-head.

A European Championship decided by photo finish

In the final kilometers, Ciccone left almost all the weight of the chase and the pace to Evenepoel. The Belgian showed his frustration at times but continued to work while Scaroni lost ground, and it became clear that the title would be decided between the two.

Ciccone then played his card in the sprint. The Italian launched from far back and managed to enter the last curve first. Evenepoel gradually made his way back and launched his bike over the finish line.

The difference was so small that neither of them could celebrate immediately. The photo finish ultimately confirmed that Evenepoel had placed his wheel ahead of Ciccone's by a minimal margin.

Top 10 European Championship 2026

1. Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) — 4:16:37
2. Giulio Ciccone (Italy) — +00
3. Christian Scaroni (Italy) — +0:59
4. Toms Skujiņš (Latvia) — +1:13
5. Iván Romeo (Spain) — +1:16
6. Ramses Debruyne (Belgium) — +1:16
7. Emil Herzog (Germany) — +1:16
8. Maxim Van Gils (Belgium) — +1:16
9. Léo Bisiaux (France) — +1:18
10. Primož Roglič (Slovenia) — +1:19