Archiv der Kategorie: Europameisterschaften

Deutsche U23-Staffel holt EM-Titel

Europameisterschaften, Meisterschaften, Strassenrennen, Zeitfahren, , ,

Anadia (rad-net) – Die deutsche U23-Staffel hat sich im portugiesischen Anadia souverän den Europameistertitel geholt. Ricarda Bauernfeind, Linda Riedmann, Maurice Ballerstedt und Tobias Buck-Gramcko siegten mit deutlichem Vorsprung zur Konkurrenz.

Zunächst legten die beiden Männer vor, dann sicherten sie die beiden Frauen die Goldmedaille. Nur zwei Quartetts blieben auf den insgesamt 44 Kilometern unter der Eine-Stunde-Marke. Die Zeit der Deutschen stoppte bei 58:26 Minuten. Mit 1:16 Minuten belegte die Schweiz Platz zwei, gefolgt von den Niederlanden mit 1:49 Minuten Rückstand.

An der Zwischenzeit – nach den ersten 22 Kilometern der Männer U23 – lag Italien knapp in Führung, musste sich am Ende aber mit Platz sieben zufrieden geben. Dem deutschen Team gelang das besser: Ballerstedt und Buck-Gramcko übergaben auf Rang drei liegend, sechs Sekunden hinter Italien an Bauernfeind und Riedmann. «Ich hatte ja noch was gut zu machen von gestern», sagte Buck-Gramcko, der im Einzelzeitfahren gestern gestürzt war und so nicht über Platz 22 hinauskam. «Ich bin das Rennen nicht so schnell angegangen, habe mir noch ein wenig Reserven für den Schluss aufgehoben. Es lief optimal.»

Die beiden Damen legten dann noch einmal richtig zu und holten noch weit über eine Minute auf die Schweiz heraus, die an der Zwischenzeit bereits auf Rang zwei gelegen hatte – allerdings zwei Sekunden vor Deutschland.

Ricarda Bauernfeind sagte nach dem Rennen: «Linda und ich haben schnell unseren Rhythmus gefunden und konnten das hohe Tempo halten. Mit der Hitze bin ich gut klargekommen. Man muss halt viel trinken und den Körper runterkühlen. Es war mein erster Sieg mit der Staffel. Das ist umso schöner, weil man die Freude teilen kann.» Übermorgen startet die 22-Jährige auch im Straßenwettberb der Frauen U23: «Für das Straßenrennen übermorgen bin ich noch entspannt. Ich warte ab, was passiert. Die Konkurrenz ist stark.»

«Tobias und Maurice haben sich das Rennen optimal eingeteilt, sind nicht ganz so schnell gestartet und haben dann hinten raus noch einmal aufgedreht und mit einer guten Zeit übergeben», sagte U23-Bundestrainer Ralf Grabsch. Und Frauen-Bundestrainer André Korff ergänzte: «Die Jungs haben sehr gut vorgelegt, danach haben Ricarda und Linda ein großartiges Rennen gefahren, haben schnell ihren Rhythmus gefunden und waren sehr schnell unterwegs. Obwohl unterwegs Zeitangaben vom Veranstalter fehlten, haben sie sich das Rennen gut eingeteilt und perfekt vollendet.»
@www.rad-net.de

UEC Road European Championships

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Elite Men’s Road Race – 179 Km


Photo by Plomi

1 Sonny Colbrelli (Italy) 4:19:45
2 Remco Evenepoel (Belgium)
3 Benoit Cosnefroy (France) 0:01:30
4 Matteo Trentin (Italy) 0:01:44
5 Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia)
6 Marc Hirschi (Switzerland)
7 Markus Hoelgaard (Norway)
8 Ben Hermans (Belgium) 0:01:46
9 Pavel Sivakov (Russian Federation) 0:01:49
10 Victor Campenaerts (Belgium) 0:05:41
11 Stan Dewulf (Belgium) 0:05:49
12 Romain Bardet (France)
13 Matej Mohoric (Slovenia) 0:05:50
14 João Almeida (Portugal) 0:06:00
15 Diego Ulissi (Italy)
16 Simon Geschke (Germany)

A European show in Trento: Colbrelli wins the challenge of giants
The Èlite Men Race of the Road European Championships gave one of the most exciting shows of the season, with top riders to the fore since the very beginning, and ending up with a thrilling duel between the Italian National Champion and Remco Evenepoel. Bronze went to France’s Cosnefroy. Huge public on the road for the finale of a hugely successful event.

When, in 2018, began the path that would lead to the UEC Road European Championships in Trentino, it would have been daring to imagine a finale like the one that today, September 12th, 2021, the Men’s Elite Road Race gave to the people in Trento and all the fans watching from 71 Countries around the world.
Italy’s Sonny Colbrelli won, to the joy of the big crowd Trento, but there was much more than that. There was the duel with Remco Evenepoel, the phenomenon of the future (and the present). Remco had to surrender to the Italian, in the form of his life and favored by the course, as well as by his better sprint. There was the clash of the top riders, started already on the ascents to Drena and the Monte Bondone: from Pogacar to Hirschi, from Sivakov to Pinot, from Landa to Almeida.
The bronze medal of French Benoit Cosnefroy is also worth a lot, won ahead of Matteo Trentin and Tadej Pogacar, after giving in to the top two finishers only on the last time up to Povo.

It was the fourth gold medal for Italy in an extraordinary edition of the European Championships. The greatest win of Colbrelli’s career was also a great gift for team coach Davide Cassani, whose Azzurri team secured the fourth straight success in the Men’s European Road Race.

FULL-GAS BATTLE FROM THE GO
The premises for a day full of twists were all there, but the Elite Men race went beyond expectations, offering 4 hours of great cycling. The limited mileage (179.2 km) made sure that the race lit up already in the challenging in-line stretch in the beautiful Valle dei Laghi and up the iconic Monte Bondone.
France and Spain sparked things up early on, and at the foot of the Monte Bondone a selected group was already on the road with a 1:10 lead over the peloton: Vanhoucke (Belgium), Pinot, Paret Peintre and Bonnamour (France), De La Cruz, G. Izaguirre, Landa and Soto (Spain), Rapp (Germany), Bagioli (Italy), Reichenbach (Switzerland) and Großschartner (Austria).
However, on the Bondone ramps, the situation was reshuffled thanks to the first acceleration of Romain Bardet (France), followed like a shadow by Remco Evenepoel (Belgium), Pavel Sivakov (Russia) and Gianni Moscon (Italy), while it was already game over for the likes of Peter Sagan (Slovakia), Alexander Kristoff (Norway), Sam Bennett (Ireland) and Gino Mader (Switzerland).
The restless battle continued into the Trento circuit, and in lap four (out of eight) the decisive move happened. Two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar went on the attack, bringing away a quintet also including Hoelgaard (Norway), Campenaerts (Belgium), Trentin (Italy) and Padun (Ukraine).
Frenchman Cosnefroy, Belgian Evenepoel and Italian Sonny Colbrelli managed to bridge back to the lead, while Padun quickly lost touch. On the downhill, Hirschi (Switzerland), Hermans (Belgium) and Sivakov (Russia) also got back on the leaders to form a 10-man group at the sharp end.
In the seventh and penultimate lap it was the Belgian Evenepoel who dug deep on the Povo climb, followed only by Cosnefroy and Colbrelli, with Pogacar failing to organize the chase behind them. The leading trio showed up together at the foot of the last time up the Povo climb: Cosnefroy lost contact under Evenepoel’s pace, while Colbrelli managed to somehow resist all the way to the top.
It all went down to a two-way sprint in Piazza Duomo, and as predictable, Colbrelli took the final bend at the front and confidently outpaced the Belgian. Evenepoel was clearly disappointed by the silver medal, but talent and time are on his side.

Cosnefroy managed to resist to the comeback of the pursuers to secure a valuable bronze medal. Fourth place for Matteo Trentin, whose contribution to Colbrelli’s win was substantial, whilst Tadej Pogačar was fifth at the end of an aggressive race.
„Starting as a favorite when racing at home is not easy, as there’s additional pressure to cope with, but I felt well and wanted to deliver to reward the team’s great work. It was really hard to hold on with Remco on the final climb, but when I finally took the final turn at the front, I knew I had done it. Winning in this incredible atmosphere is a dream come true.“, said Colbrelli.

THE WRAP-UP OF A DREAM WEEK
Great satisfaction could be heard in the words of Trentino’s Sports and Tourism Assessor Roberto Failoni and Trentino Marketing CEO Maurizio Rossini in assessing the UEC Road European Championships experience.
“Postponing the event from last year was clearly the best choice,” – Failoni stated. – „We have shown Trentino’s attention to major sporting events, and these European Championships have certainly had a global impact. We are proud of this outcome, and I would like to thank the OC and all those who contributed to this success. I think we went pretty close to perfection, and we are very proud of that.”
„Our TV images have reached no less than 71 Countries, and we can’t be anything but happy with the media impact of these European Championships“ – underlined Rossini. – “Millions of people have got to know the beauty of Trento, Monte Bondone, the Lakes Valley and Trentino as a whole. The event has brought an immediate economic impact, as 20,000 people have been esteemed in Trento for the event, +20% compared to last year’s figures. Furthermore, many people stopped in the nearby valleys, and plenty more have come only for the final day of Sunday, as it clearly showed on the roads.”
UCI President David Lappartient also voiced his impression for the organizational quality of the Europeans, as well as for Trentino, a land that also boasts other top-level UCI events like the MTB World Championships in Val di Sole and the Tour of the Alps. “Trentino is an extraordinary reality for the world of cycling, I saw it two weeks ago in Val di Sole and once again here in Trento. There is a great passion and welcoming for our sport here, and this is combined with authentically extraordinary territories and great organizational quality. I am sure that the future holds more great cycling events in Trentino.“
The balance of UEC President Enrico Della Casa was also excellent: “This European Championships had a very high technical and organizational level. We have set new records for participation, with 800 starters, and carried over 2.500 quick tests to ensure the complete safety for the athletes and all the categories taking part in the event. I wish to thank the OC and the sanitary equip for that. I am sure we will remember the show of these wonderful days in Trento for a long time.”

2021 ROAD EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDAL COUNT

1. Italy (4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)
2. Belgium (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze)
3. Switzerland (2 gold)
4. Germany (1 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze)
5. Netherlands (1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze)
6. France (1 gold, 5 bronze)
7. Russia (1 gold)
7. Denmark (1 gold)
9. Norway (2 silver)
10. Hungary (1 silver)
11. Spain (1 bronze)
11. Lithuania (1 bronze)

UEC Road European Championships

Ergebnisse, Europameisterschaften, Strassenrennen, , , ,

In Trento wins the unexpected Dutch: Ellen Van Dijk is the new European Champion

The 34-year-old Dutch gave the Netherlands their fifth Elite Women’s RR title in six editions at the UEC Road European Championships. Belgian Thibaut Nys amazes with dominating sprint to the Under 23 Road Race title. UCI President Lappartient also arrives to Trento.

In Trento wins the unexpected Dutch: Ellen Van Dijk is the new European Champion
The 34-year-old Dutch gave the Netherlands their fifth Elite Women’s RR title in six editions at the UEC Road European Championships. Belgian Thibaut Nys amazes with dominating sprint to the Under 23 Road Race title. UCI President Lappartient also arrives to Trento

The Netherlands lived up to the odds and expectations by claiming the Women’s Elite Road Race title in Trento at the UEC Road European Championships – Trentino 2021; they just did it in a different way than most would have expected.
The Orange team won the fifth Women’s RR title in six editions of the continental event, confirming a supremacy that has lasted for years, only interrupted by the unexpected victory of Austrian Kiesenhofer at the Tokyo Olympics.
After winning four European time trial titles, Ellen Van Dijk showed up to the appointment with her opportunity in the road race, delivering with a great long-range action. Behind her on the podium were Germany’s Liane Lippert and Lithuania’s Rasa Leleivyte.

Earlier on the day, Thibaut Nys had left a huge impression by claiming the gold medal for Belgium in the Under 23 Men’s race. The son of the great Sven made the most of one of his few road races in the season, delivering a dominating sprint ahead of Italy’s Filippo Baroncini and Spain’s Juan Ayuso.
Once again, Trentino and the city of Trento triumphed, whose splendid images went around the world, and whose amazing show of public impressed even David Lappartient, the UCI President who arrived in Trento today to experience the last, exciting days of the event.

ESCAPE FOR VICTORY: EUROPEAN SOLO FOR VAN DIJK
It took more than half of the total 107.2 km (eight laps of the circuit) for the Women’s Elite road race to find its turning point. Ellen Van Dijk went on the attack, bringing with her Italian Soraya Paladin, German Romy Kasper and French Aude Biannic.
As the laps passed, the pace of Van Dijk exhausted the opponents who inexorably faded: first Biannic, then Kasper, and finally also a combative Soraya Paladin raised the white flag in the penultimate time on the Povo climb. Back in the peloton, Belgium and Germany tried to oerganize the chase, the latter setting up the attack of Lippert. The German’s acceleration generated a group with Italy’s Longo Borghini and Cavalli, Pole Niewiadoma, Swiss Reusser – the European TT champion, – Lithuanian Leleivyte, Belarusian Amialiusik and two fellow Dutch riders, Van Vleuten and Vollering.
The chasing group managed to come within second, but struggled to find an agreement and Van Dijk took advantage of it on the descent, opening a one minute gap.
On the last Povo ascent, Lippert and Niewiadoma tried to increase the pace again, but gold was already gone. The German confirmed to be the strongest of the chasing group by winning silver in the sprint; bronze for surprising Lithuanian Leleivyte ahead of the Pole Niewiadoma and fellow Dutch Vollering.
The party, however, was for Ellen Van Dijk, who after four European time trial titles wore the road race European champion’s jersey for the very first time. „I didn’t expect it, my role was to support my teammates, but I felt good and I wanted to go on the breakaway. Little by little I managed to outpace all the others, also because it was my only way to try and win, not being the best sprinter. In the finale, I didn’t know the chasers had come that close, and maybe it was better this way .. “

1 Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) 2:50:35
2 Liane Lippert (Germany) 0:01:18
3 Rasa Leleivyte (Lithuania)
4 Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland)
5 Demi Vollering (Netherlands)
6 Marta Cavalli (Italy)
7 Marlen Reusser (Switzerland)
8 Alena Amialiusik (Belarus)
9 Annemiek van Vleuten (Netherlands) 0:01:21
10 Elisa Balsamo (Italy) 0:02:29
11 Lisa Brennauer (Germany)


Photo by Plomi

TALENT HAS NO DISCIPLINE: THIBAUT NYS HAS NO LIMITS
With a great sprint in Piazza Duomo in Trento, Thibau Nys was crowned European Under 23 Road Champion. The son of the great Sven Nys dominated the final dash, beating Italian Filippo Baroncini and top favorite, Spaniard Juan Ayuso.
The Belgian, already Junior European cyclo-cross champion in Italy in Silvelle di Trebaseleghe in 2019, was part of the decisive action on the last time atop the Povo ascent, when Ayuso attacked in the successful attempt to bridge back to Belgian Lennert Van Eetvelt, who had gone on the attack in the previous lap.
With him, in addition to Baroncini and Nys, were other Italian Filippo Zana, Hungarian Erik Fetter and Frenchman Louis Barre.
The seven-man group retained an advantage of 10-15 seconds over the chasing group and, an unsuccessful acceleration by Zana with 2km to go, they sprinted for victory. Baroncini went into the final straight in the first position but Nys soon got out of his wheel and showed his power.
“It feels strange to win this road title on the day the cyclo-cross season opens in Belgium,“ Nys said. „I had raced very little on the road this season, but this European Championships was a big goal for me, and to have achieved it is incredible. By a whisker, I managed to stay in the decisive action, and from there I was convinced I could be the fastest on the final straight.“
The victory of Nys, considered one of the most promising talents of world cycling, confirms the current trends of raising prospect competing – and shining – in different disciplines. The Belgian has cyclo-cross as his first love, and he was 2020 Junior World Champion in the discipline.

1 Thibau Nys (Belgium) 3:06:57
2 Filippo Baroncini (Italy)
3 Juan Ayuso Pesquera (Spain)
4 Erik Fetter (Hungary)
5 Lennert van Eetvelt (Belgium)
6 Filippo Zana (Italy)
7 Louis Barre (France) 0:00:04
8 Marijn van den Berg (Netherlands) 0:00:19
9 Jakub Oupalík (Czech Republic)
10 Tobias Bayer (Austria)

TOMORROW THE GRAND FINALE: EVENEPOEL AND POGACAR IN THE SPOTLIGHTS, ITALY HOPES IN COLBRELLI
The Road European Championships in Trentino will end tomorrow, Sunday September 12th, with the Men’s Elite race. Italy has won the last three edition, and has Sonny Colbrelli as its best option – at least on cards – to try to extend the stretch.
In what should be an unpredictable race, with the in-line stretch of 69 km through the Valle dei Laghi and the Monte Bondone ascent to Candriai, before the 8 laps on the final circuit (179,2 km), the list of top favorites includes two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia), Marc Hirschi (Switzerland), Joao Almeida (Portugal), Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) Romain Bardet (France), Bauke Mollema (Netherlands) and Mikel Landa (Spain).
Peter Sagan (Slovakia), Sam Bennett (Ireland) and Alexander Kristoff (Norway) are the greatest threats in the event of a sprint finish. Also classic specialists like Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) and Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic) and other Slovenian Matej Mohoric can’t be overlooked.

UEC Road European Championships – Linda Riedmann gewinnt Gold!

Eintagsrennen, Europameisterschaften, Strassenrennen, ,

Silvia Zanardi’s Under 23 gold clinches first road races day in Trento
Italy celebrates in the final act of an intense day at the UEC Road European Championships Trentino 2021. Romain Gregoire of France and Germany’s Linda Riedmann graduate new champions among Juniors.

On the third day, the European Championships – Trentino 2021 has reached the heart of Trento: the geographical one, Piazza Duomo, and the one of the people, who responded with even greater enthusiasm than the beautiful two days at Le Albere district. The Road Races have started on Friday September 10th, meeting their scenic starting and finishing point right in front of the Trento’s Dome.
The third day of Trentino 2021 offered three entertaining and exciting challenges among Junior Men and Women, and Under 23 Women. The clincher of the day was Silvia Zanardi’s winning three-rider sprint that made the Italian fans voice their excitement. It was the third gold for the home Country in the first three days of the event.
Before Zanardi, French Romain Gregoire and German Linda Riedmann had celebrated their road race titles in the junior categories, treating themselves to a pour of Trento DOC – the only rains of this splendid week of sunshine in the Trentino sky.

FROM THE TRACK TO ROAD, ZANARDI KEEPS RAKING TITLES
The first day of road races helped shaping a fairly precise identikit of the qualities required to conquer the European gold on the Trentino course: brilliance and punch uphill, a good dose of tactical acumen and a more than solid sprint. Silvia Zanardi had them all today in the Under 23 Women’s race.
Fresh from the three European Under 23 titles won on the track in Apeldoorn, the Italian from Fiorenzuola d’Arda gave herself a new star-studded jersey thanks to an intelligent race conduct in the six laps of the Trento circuit (80.8 km).
It was an elimination race for long, with Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium pushing hard at the front, preventing breakaways while dropping riders from behind.
After a solitary attempt by the French Le Net on the penultimate lap, the race was decided on the last lap with the attack of Italian Gaia Realini on the Povo climb. Only four riders could follow in Kata Blanka Vas (Hungary), Silvia Zanardi, Evita Muzic (France) and Laura Stigger (Austria). Then, when the Hungarian decided to push through, also Realini and Stigger got dropped.
The trio at the front eventually contested the title in a three-way sprint, confidently won by Zanardi over Vas and Muzic. “In the final kilometers I kept asking for info on the gap, when I heard 20 seconds I realized it could be done. I owe a lot to team tactics today: Realini would go on the attack on the tough stretches, and I should have sat up in the group, trying to hold on as long as possible. When Gaia faded a bit at the top, I managed to hold on with Vas: it was my chance, and I took it.“

JUNIOR MEN, GREGOIRE IS THE GOLD OF FRANCE
In the Trento’s morning, France dominated the Men’s Junior road race, winning both gold and bronze. The new champion is Romain Gregoire, who beat Norwegian Per Strand Hagenes and compatriot Lenny Martinez in the three-man sprint.
After a quick early part of the race, with attempts by Irish Rafferty and the German Abt and a first move by Gregoire himself at 85 km, the turning point of the race came at the start of the last of the eight laps (107.2 km), when the trio made by Gregoire, Hagenes and Martinez gained about ten seconds on the peloton, which was no longer able to close the gap. At the sprint, the French duo managed to exploit their strength in numbers, leaving no escape to the Norwegian.
Belgian Vlad Van Mechelen ruled the chasing group, ahead Italy’s Manuel Oioli.
„It’s fantastic, this was my big goal of the season and I managed to hit it,“ said Gregoire. “I came on recognition on the route in June, we knew what to do, but until the last lap we weren’t able to make the difference we wanted. In the final I was afraid of Hagenes, who is very fast: fortunately, he did not make the last corner in the best possible way, and this also helped me to beat him.“

1 Romain Grégoire (France) 2:35:42
2 Per Strand Hagenes (Norway)
3 Lenny Martinez (France)
4 Vlad van Mechelen (Belgium) 0:00:10
5 Manuel Oioli (Italy)
6 Jan Christen (Switzerland)
7 Madis Mihkels (Estonia)
8 Martin Svrček (Slovakia)
9 Alexander Hajek (Austria)
10 Sebastian Kirkedam Larsen (Norway)
11 Alessandro Romele (Italy)
12 Emil Herzog (Germany)
13 Moritz Kärsten (Germany)

RIEDMANN RULES CIABOTTO IN THE JUNIOR’S SPRINT
In the early afternoon, Italy had come close to another success in the Junior Women test, in which Eleonora Ciabocco had to settle for second place behind Linda Riedmann, winner of another reduced sprint – this time of five athletes. Rounding out the podium was French Eglantine Rayer.
On the 67.6 km of the Trento circuit (5 laps), the race was decided by the escape of six athletes who, in addition to the three girls on the podium, featured winner of the Junior Women Time Trial Alena Ivanchenko, fellow Italian Francesca Barale and Russian Inna Abaidullina.
During the last time on the Povo climb, Riedmann tried to get clear of her opponents, but managed to distance only Abaidullina. In the final kilometers, Barale’s work for Ciabocco was not enough to beat the German, who won in 1:53:09.
“I knew I could have a chance today, but the race was really tough, with this climb wearing the legs lap after lap. On the final ascent to Povo I tried to accelerate, but the descent wasn’t that technical so I was caught, and it ended up in a sprint. Now I will enjoy this success before focusing on the World Championships,“ the German winner told.

1 Linda Riedmann (Germany) 1:53:09
2 Eleonora Ciabocco (Italy)
3 Eglantine Rayer (France) 0:00:02
4 Francesca Barale (Italy)
5 Alena Ivanchenko (Russia)
6 Anniina Ahtosalo (Finland) 0:01:10
7 Noëlle Ruetschi (Switzerland)
8 Carlotta Cipressi (Italy)
9 Anna van der Meiden (Netherlands)
10 Fiona Zimmermann (Switzerland)

VAN VLEUTEN FAVORITE AMONG ELITE WOMEN
On Saturday, September 11th, it will be time for the Elite Women’s Road Race, getting off at 14:15 CET from Piazza Duomo in Trento. The Netherlands are widely regarded as the team to beat on the 107.2 km course (8 laps of the 13.2 km circuit), lining up with outgoing champion Annemiek Van Vleuten, as well as Marianne Vos, Amy Pieters, Demi Vollering and Chantal Van den Broek-Blaak. Italy will play its cards by opposing Team Relay Elisa Longo Borghini and Marta Cavalli, plus a mix of youth and experience. Among the other top names, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium), Audrey Cordon Ragot (France), Lisa Brennauer (Germany) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) should not be underestimated as well.

Starting the morning will be the Men’s Under 23 Road Race (starting at 9:00 CET). The young talents of European cycling will compete on a 133.6 km course, repeating 10 times the city circuit including the Povo ascent (3.6 km at 4.7%). There are many interesting names to follow, including Juan Ayuso, the promising Spaniard winner of the U23 Giro d’Italia, and Norwegian twins Anders (winner of the Tour de l’Avenir) and Tobias Halland Johannessen. Belgian Henri Vandernabeele should not be overlooked as well, while Italy will try to play its best cards in Filippo Zana and Luca Colnaghi.
For the last two days of competitions, UCI President David Lappartient will also reach Trento. Lappartient will also take part in a press conference on Saturday (15:00 CET), along with UCI Vice-President Renato Di Rocco, the UEC President Enrico Della Casa, Italian Cycling Federation President Cordiano Dagnoni and Trentino Marketing CEO Maurizio Rossini.

Saturday, September 11th

9:00 am – U23 Men Road Race – 133,6 km
2:15 pm – Elite Women Road Race – 107,2 km

Sunday, September 12th

12:30 pm – Elite Men Road Race – 179,2 km

Buongiorno Trento: Day 3 – Road races start in Trentino

Europameisterschaften, Strassenrennen,

Change of scenery at the UEC Road European Championships in Trentino, with Juniors and U23 Women taking in the road races on Friday, September 10th

Good morning from the UEC Road European Championships. The two days of time trials are now over, and it’s time to switch to the road races for a long and exciting weekend in the Trento, Monte Bondone and Valle dei Laghi area.
The menu of Friday, September 10th in Trento consists of: Junior Men’s Road Race at 9.00 am CET, Junior Women’s Road Race from 1.50 pm, CET and, finally, the Under 23 Women’s Road Race from 4.30 pm CET.

THE ROUTE – THE POVO CLIMB THREATENS THE FAST MEN’S AMBITIONS
All the road races, except for the Elite Men’s race which includes a starting in-line loop, will be decided entirely in the city circuit of Trento, 13.2 km and 250 meters of elevation gain, characterized by the Povo climb, starting and finishing in Piazza Duomo.
The first 2 km are flat. The climb towards the Povo roundabout begins from Via San Marco, (3.6 km at 4.7%), and will wear down the legs of the riders as laps pass by. The following descent takes the riders to Piazza Vicenza, where the last 4, flat, kilometers begin, leading through the streets of the city center to the finish line in Piazza Duomo.
Junior Women will face 5 laps of the Trento circuit for a total of 67.5 km. 6 laps and 80.8 km are planned for the Under 23 Women, 8 laps and 107.2 km for the Junior Men.

THE CIRCUIT – BETWEEN PIAZZA DUOMO AND “THE SCIENCE HILL”.
All the road races start and finish in Piazza Duomo, the beating heart of Trento. Around this square, Trento has built its millennial history made of Central European tradition and Italian style. The cathedral of San Vigilio, dedicated to the Patron Saint, and the Palazzo Pretorio, now home to the Tridentine Diocesan Museum, overlook the suggestive square. In the center of the square is the fascinating Fountain of Neptune, dating back to the eighteenth century, that attracts the attention of visitors.
The Trento circuit crosses fascinating areas of the city, passing close to Buonconsiglio Castle, the largest and most important monumental complex in Trentino-Alto Adige, and the Povo Research Centre, the „science hill“, home to scientific excellence such as the Bruno Kessler Foundation.

THE TOP RIDERS – GUAZZINI, UIJTDEBROECKS AND THE SONS OF ART
Belgium vs. France, the Men’s Junior road race will start at 9.00 am CET with two national teams as main references. Time trial gold medalist Alec Segaert and fellow Belgian Cian Uijtdebroecks will be motivated to repeat themselves after the time trial’s one-two.
Coming off a solid display at the Giro di Lunigiana, France will be led by Brieuc Rolland and by the son of art Lenny Martinez (his father is the Miguel Martinez, MTB Olympic Champion at Sydney 2000).
Switzerland’s Nils Aebersold is the son of Niki, a professional cyclist from the late 90s. The Swiss also competes in Mountain Bike, and claimed a bronze medal at the World Championships in Val di Sole just a few days ago. Another athlete to watch will be Norway’s Per Strand Hargenes, winner of a stage at the Corsa della Pace.
The Junior Women’s favorites include Dutch Elise Uijen, Swiss Noelle Ruetschi, German Antonia Niedermaier and Linda Riedmann, time trial European champion Alena Ivanchenko (Russia) and Finn Anniina Ahtosalo, winner of the Piccolo Trofeo Binda.

Closing the day is the Women Under 23 race. After winning the title in 2020 with Elisa Balsamo, Italy will try again with Under 23 time trial European champion Vittoria Guazzini along with Camilla Alessio, Giorgia Bariani, Barbara Malcotti, Gaia Realini and Silvia Zanardi. Led by Shirin Van Anrooij, the Netherlands will be carefully watched, as will be the Austrian selection that includes Tyrolean Mona Mitterwallner and Laura Stigger, respectively U23 Cross Country World Champion and runner-up in Val di Sole. In particular, Laura Stigger can also boast experience on the road, having graduated as Juniors World Champion in 2018 in Innsbruck.

TRENTO SOLD OUT
The European Championships are bringing enthusiasm and attendance to Trentino, not only in the city of Trento, but also in the neighboring territories, particulary in Valle dei Laghi, Valsugana, Garda Trentino and Alpe Cimbra.
After a good summer season in terms of tourism presence, the period from September 3rd to 14threcords an increase in hotel occupancy of about 15% compared to last year, and even 20% in the city of Trento, a significant part of it being a result of the European Champs.
In the week of the UEC Road European Championships – Trentino 2021, there are over 20,000 estimated tourist presences in the city of Trento, half of which managed through the booking service set up on purpose by the Trento, Monte Bondone, Valle dei Laghi Tourist Board.
The Organizing Committee has supported the National Federations, providing accommodations in hotels equipped with all the technical requirements and services needed by a team, plus all the required characteristics to comply with the strict health protocol drawn up by the OC’s medical staff.

A number of sportsmen, enthusiasts and fans have reached and are reaching Trentino as well, to follow the sporting feats of their champions while taking a chance to spend a few days of vacation among different beauties: naturalistic, artistic and cultural.

WEATHER FORECASTS
Good news from the weather side on Friday 10 September. Sun forecasts, no wind in the morning and moderate in the afternoon. A temperature of 21 degrees is expected in the morning. Temperatures will rise in the early afternoon to 26-27 degrees.

THE DAY’S PROGRAMME (All CET Times)
Friday, September 10th

Junior Road Race Men

Distance: 107.2 km (8 laps)
Start: 09:10 CET
Expected finish: 11.36/11.50
Favorites: Cian Uijtdebroecks, Alec Segaert, Brieuc Rolland.

Road race Junior Women

Distance: 67.6 km (5 laps)
Start: 14:00 CET
Expected finish: 15:36/15:46
Favorites: Noelle Ruetschi, Anniina Ahtosalo, Linda Riedmann.

U23 Women’s Road Race

Distance: 80.8 km (6 laps)
Start: 16:40 CET
Expected arrival: 18.35/18.47
Favorite: Vittoria Guazzini, Shirin Van Anrooij, Laura Stigger.

UEC Road European Championships 2021

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Küng beats Ganna as Switzerland sweeps Elite TT titles in Trentino

The Italian fans had hoped for another golden day for Filippo Ganna, but the second day of the UEC Road European Championships – Trentino 2021 deservedly crowned Stefan Küng as ITT European Champion once again, as the Swiss defended the title conquered last year in Plouay. Anyway, it was undoubtedly a show of public and enthusiasm in the Le Albere quartier, where many enthusiastic people held their breath for the home favorite until the final meters of the 22,4 km test, on Thursday September 9th.
Belgian Remco Evenepoel rounded out a regal podium, showing he is back to his best after the horrific crash of the 2020 Il Lombardia: rivals would better watch out for him in Sunday’s Road race.

Thursday was clearly a happy day for Switzerland, that swept the Elite ITT titles: before Küng’s success, Marlen Reusser had worn the European Champion’s jersey after the Elite Women’s race.
If Italy had to settle for the silver with its most awaited champion – who met in Trento another Olympic Gold medalist, Trentino’s sailor Ruggero Tita – the home fans still had the opportunity to celebrate another gold medal after the Team Relay.

The credit goes to Vittoria Guazzini, new European time trial champion among Under 23 Women, seeing off the defending champion, German Hannah Ludwig, and fellow Italian Elena Pirrone.

The Under 23 Men’s race crowned Dane Johan Price Pejtersen, who returned to the top of Europe two years after Alkmaar 2019: between the two titles, a heart arrhythmia that had put his career on hold. His tears at the finish, clearly showed the emotion of closing such circle.

THE SWISS TRAIN ON TIME IN TRENTO
Though he was the defending champion, Stefan Küng’s name was often behind others in the odds for Trento’s European Championships: from Ganna to Evenepoel, from Tadej Pogačar to his compatriot Bisseger. However, the 27-year-old Swiss spoke with facts, delivering a perfect time trial for power and tactics over the 22,4 km around Trento: 24:29:85 was his time, at an average of 54,86 km/h.
“Halfway through the race I was just behind Ganna, but I didn’t lose confidence. I knew I was feeling good, even if I didn’t go too well in the Benelux, and at the Olympics I was at the foot of the podium. This season I have often come close to the great results, and I have always found someone stronger. This time, my day has arrived: there’s nothing better on the way to the World Championships,“commented the Trento 2021 Champion.
After the first 11 km, Ganna had gone through the intermediate one second ahead of Küng and three over a solid Remco Evenepoel, but it was in the second half that the Swiss made the difference. Seven seconds ahead of Ganna at the finishing line in Piazza delle Donne Lavoratrici, even 14 on the Belgian talent: an indisputable success.
Stefan Bisseger (Switzerland) settled for fourth after being in the lead for long, fifth place for Max Walsheid of Germany whilst Italy placed another man in sixth position, Edoardo Affini. Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) finished twelfth in a race suited for specialists, at 1:21 from Küng.
The tight challenge between Küng, Ganna and Evenepoel thrilled the many fans who took to the roads of Trentino to enjoy a great show, as did the many spectators through live TV in Europe and Asia.

THE JOY OF MARLEN REUSSER

Swiss Marlen Reusser was the clear winner of the Elite Women Individual Time Trial, proving unbeatable on the 22.4 km of the Trento circuit.
The Swiss finished with a 27:12:95 time, unattainable even for Ellen Van Dijk, European Champion of the category for four times in the last five years. The Swiss, bronze medalist, in the last edition pushed hard right from the start in front of the MUSE – Museum of Sciences, proving out of reach for the rivals already after the first intermediate. Only Van Dijk tried to resist the force of the Swiss, but the gap recorded at the split further widened in the final part, until the final 19-second distance.
German Lisa Brennauer completed the podium, in spite of being overtaken by Reusser in the last meters: her delay on the finish line was over a minute.
“I’m exhausted but super happy, and if you’re not exhausted at the finish line means you didn’t do enough,” Reusser said afterwards. “I knew I had good legs, but you never know, Ellen and Lisa as well were also going strong. Now I will focus on the Road Race with the Swiss Team, which I love to race with.”

1 Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) 0:27:13
2 Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) 0:00:19
3 Lisa Brennauer (Germany) 0:01:02
4 Lisa Klein (Germany) 0:01:22
5 Riejanne Markus (Netherlands) 0:01:43
6 Valeriya Kononenko (Ukraine) 0:01:52
7 Anna Kiesenhofer (Austria) 0:02:00
8 Vittoria Bussi (Italy) 0:02:09
9 Sara Van De Vel (Belgium) 0:02:13
10 Emma Norsgaard (Denmark) 0:02:18

ITALY TAKES GOLD AMONG UNDER 23 WOMEN
Vittoria Guazzini gave Italy the second gold medal of this UEC Road European Championships. Already European TT Champion in 2017 among Juniors, and plenty of times on the track, the Italian clocked a 29:02:08 time, displaying her strength from the very beginning. Behind her, German Hannah Ludwig had to give up the throne after two years, crossing the line 38 seconds behind.
“I am very happy, winning at home is special” – Guazzini said at the finish line, – “I hardly felt the fatigue. The European time trial was an important goal of the season, and I am happy to have been able to reach it. I managed myself well, and I am particularly happy with how I interpreted the race. The route was suitable for me, I pushed from start to finish and it went well“.
The Italian party was completed by Elena Pirrone, third 45 seconds behind her compatriot. After passing in fourth position at the split time, the athlete from Bolzano recovered in the second part of the race, earning the bronze medal.

1 Vittoria Guazzini (Italy) 0:29:02
2 Hannah Ludwig (Germany) 0:00:39
3 Elena Pirrone (Italy) 0:00:46
4 Marta Jaskulska (Poland) 0:00:51
5 Wilma Olausson (Sweden) 0:00:54
6 Marie Le Net (France)
7 Shari Bossuyt (Belgium) 0:00:58
8 Shirin Van Anrooij (Netherlands) 0:01:13
9 Julie De Wilde (Belgium) 0:01:14
10 Maria Novolodskaia (Russia) 0:01:15

THE COMEBACK OF JOHAN PRICE PEJTERSEN
Two years after Alkmaar, Johan Price Pejtersen returned to wear the Under 23 ITT Road European Champion in Trento. The Dane beat Norway’s Søren Værenskjold by 33 seconds and Dutch Daan Hoole by 34.
After seeing his 2020 season compromised due to an arrhythmia, and having defeated Covid-19, the Danish athlete has returned to his best, setting an irresistible pace for all opponents. Værenskjold and Hoole just managed to beat German Michel Heßmann in the race for the podium.”
„Winning here means a lot to me, after what I have been through,“ said the Dane, in tears. “I knew I was among the favourites, but I really didn’t know what I could aim for today. It feels great to be wearing this jersey again.”

1 Johan Price Pejtersen (Denmark) 0:25:35
2 Søren Wærenskjold (Norway) 0:00:33
3 Daan Hoole (Netherlands) 0:00:34
4 Michel Heßmann (Germany) 0:00:38
5 Lev Gonov (Russian Federation) 0:00:41
6 Raul Garcia Pierna (Spain) 0:00:44
7 Filippo Baroncini (Italy) 0:00:49
8 Alexandre Balmer (Switzerland) 0:00:55
9 Lennert van Eetvelt (Belgium) 0:00:59
10 Maurice Ballerstedt (Germany) 0:01:03

FRIDAY IT’S ROAD RACES TIME

On Friday, September 10th, the UEC Road European Championships Trentino 2021 will start their road races phase. The first event on the day will be the Junior Men Road Race at 9:00 am CET, on a 107.2km course, eight times on the 13,2 km city loop in Trento featuring the Povo climb.
Belgians Alec Segaert and Cian Uijtderbroecks are motivated to repeat themselves after the TT one-two, and will be facing Frenchmen Brieuc Rolland and Lenny Martinez, Norwegian Per Strand Hargenes, and the Swiss son of art Nils Aebersold, bronze at the MTB World Championships in Val di Sole just a few days ago.
In the Junior Women’s Road Race (start at 1:30 pm CET), Swiss Noelle Reutschi will try to make up for an underwhelming time trial, while Alena Ivanchenko should not be underestimated after her impressive TT display. The winner of the Piccolo Trofeo Binda, Anniina Ahtosalo (Finland) is another favourite on the 67.6 km (5 laps of the city circuit) route in Trento.
The Under 23 Women road race will close the day, starting at 4:30 pm CET. Italy will try to defend the title won last year by Elisa Balsamo, relying on a very competitive line-up with new European Time Trial Champion Vittoria Guazzini, Silvia Zanardi and Gaia Realini. Eyes will also be on the Austrian selection, with Tyroleans Mona Mitterwallner and Laura Stigger, respectively U23 Cross Country MTB World Champion in Val di Sole in 2021 and Junior Road World Champion in 2018 in Innsbruck. The Netherlands are also expected to feature in the medal chase, with Shirin Van Anrooij as the top name in the list.

Trento, September 9th, 2021

UEC Road European Cycling Championships

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Buongiorno Trento: Day 2 – Top names square off against the clock

Good morning from the UEC Road European Cycling Championships. A sparkling first day gave Italy its first gold in the Team Relay, whilst Belgian Alec Segaert and Russian Alena Ivanchenko have celebrated successes in the Juniors’ time trials. The program of the greatest continental review in Trentino (8-12 September) goes on with the Men’s and Women’s time trials for the Elite and Under 23 categories.
The first race gets off at 9.15 AM CET: that’s the Under 23 Women’s time trial, followed at 10.45 AM by the Women Elite time trial, the Men Under 23 time trial at 2.15 PM, and the Men Elite time trial at 4 PM (all CET times).

THE COURSE – THE HIGH-SPEED CHALLENGE STARTS FROM THE MUSE
The time trials’ route at the Trentino 2021 European Championships is perfectly suited to specialists in the discipline, capable of pushing long gears and developing high speeds.
Starting from the MUSE-Museo delle Scienze in Trento, and finishing in the near Piazza delle Donne Lavoratrici, the pan-flat 22.4 km loop crosses the towns of Romagnano, Matterello and Aldeno, an area rich of high-quality vineyards.
The time trial route passes through the village of Mattarello, located along the ancient road that connected Trento to Rovereto. Mattarello is close to Trento airport and the Gianni Caproni Aeronautical Museum, which displays the world’s first aeronautical collection, built in the 1920s. It is a unique collection of vintage aircraft, including early twentieth-century aircraft that have made history. These include the Ansaldo SVA 5 that took part in Gabriele D’Annunzio’s demonstration flight over Vienna on 9 August 1918.
The exhibition is named after Gianni Caproni, an aeronautical engineer, entrepreneur and pioneer of flight and founder of the company of the same name engaged in the construction of aircraft in the first half of the 20th century.

THE PROTAGONISTS – GANNA AIMS FOR SECOND GOLD VERSUS FIERCE RIVALS

After the joy of the Team Relay, the medal ambitions for the Italian National Team are not over. World Champion Filippo Ganna has to be considered the top favorite of the Men’s Elite Time Trial: after showing a solid condition in the team race, he will be trying for a second gold medal at Trentino 2021.
Competition won’t be lacking for the Olympic gold medalist in the Team Pursuit: fellow countryman Edoardo Affini, defending champion Stefan Küng (Switzerland), Rémi Cavagna (France), Remco Evenepoel(Belgium), Mikkel Bjerg and Kasper Asgreen (Denmark), Jos Van Emden(Netherlands) and two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia).

Vittoria Bussi and Elena Cecchini will be at the start of the Women’s Elite race, where the four-time continental champion Ellen Van Dijk (Netherlands) is the clear favorite.

In the U23 Men’s race, wonderboy Juan Ayuso (Spain) will make his debut in the continental event in Trentino, whilst Hannah Ludwig (Germany) had good chances to retain her title among Under 23 Women.

WEATHER FORECASTS
More good news for the riders from the weather side on Thursday 9 September, with sun forecasts and almost no wind. A temperature of 22 degrees is expected in the morning. Temperatures will rise in the early afternoon to 26-27 degrees.

Thursday September 9th

Under 23 Women’s Time Trial

Distance: 22.4 km
First athlete start: 09.15 am
Favorites: Hannah Ludwig, Elena Pirrone, Aigul Gareeva

Elite Women’s Time Trial

Distance: 22.4 km
First athlete start: 10.45 am
Favorites: Ellen van Dijk, Lisa Brennauer, Demi Vollering

Under 23 Men’s Time Trial
Distance: 22.4 km
First athlete start: 02.15 pm
Favorites: Juan Ayuso, Andrii Ponomar, Mathias Vacek

Elite Men’s Time Trial
Distance: 22.4 km
First athlete start: 04.00 pm
Favorites: Filippo Ganna, Remco Evenepoel, Remi Cavagna

UEC Road European Championships

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Italy flies to home glory in European Champs team relay

Led by Olympic Champion Filippo Ganna, the Azzurri won gold in the mixed relay ahead of Germany and the Netherlands. Belgium and Russia celebrated in Junior time trials: Alex Segaert saw off compatriot Cian Uijtdebroeks, Alina Ivanchenko won the women’s race. Tomorrow the U23 and Elite time trials: Ganna faces Evenepoel and Pogacar

1 ITALY 0:51:59 51,36
SOBRERO Matteo
DE MARCHI Alessandro
CAVALLI Marta
GANNA Filippo
CECCHINI Elena
LONGO BORGHINI Elisa

2 GERMANY 00:21 51,28
HEIDEMANN Miguel
WALSCHEID Max
KRÖGER Mieke
WOLF Justin
LECHNER Corinna
ERATH Tanja

3 NETHERLANDS 00:26 50,29
BOUWMAN Koen
MOLLEMA Bauke
PIETERS Amy
VAN EMDEN Jos
MACKAIJ Floortje
VOLLERING Demi

Trento could hardly have asked for a better opening of the UEC Road European Championships – Trentino 2021. On Wednesday, September 8th, the home Italy team offered to the fans a joy to behold, as Filippo Ganna and his teammate finalized a superb performance with the gold medal in the European Team Relay, securing the first medal for Italy in the event, much to the delight of many fans in the Le Albere district in Trento, just a few steps from the famous MUSE – Museum of Sciences.

In the 44.8 km test – two laps of the 22.4 km course on which all the time trials are contested at Trentino 2021 are held – the team made by Filippo Ganna, Alessandro De Marchi, Matteo Sobrero, Elisa Longo Borghini, Marta Cavalli and Elena Cecchini managed to leave behind Germany and the Netherlands, unsurprisingly the last two winners of the European team event. In two weeks in Leuven (Belgium), the format will also make its debut at the World Championships.

Italy made the most of the contribution by Filippo Ganna, who was generous in this first effort of his very intense European Championships’ schedule: the menu of the Tokyo Olympic Champion also includes the individual time trial on Thursday September 9th and the road race Sunday 12th.
After the men’s trio had passed the baton in first position, Longo Borghini, Cavalli and Cecchini delivered a strong effort on their own, finalizing in 51:59:01. In the background, the orchards and vineyards of Romagnano, Aldeno and Mattarello made an amazing show of themselves in a sunny afternoon, offering a first memorable postcard of Trentino to the many Countries connected with the European Championships on TV, either live or delayed.
The Germany team of Miguel Heidemann, Justin Wolf, Richard Maximilian Walscheid, Corinna Lechner, Mieke Kroger and Tanja Erath had to settle for second place with a gap of 21 seconds from the winners. The Netherlands (Koen Bouwman, Jos Van Emden, Bauke Mollema, Floortjie Mackaij, Amy Pieters and Demi Vollering) took the third step of the podium, stopping the time at 27 seconds from the Italian national team.

The Italian National anthem concluded the racing part of the first of five days of competition between Trento, Monte Bondone and the Valle dei Laghi, which awarded the first three of the thirteen titles of the most impressive European Road Championships’ edition to date. However, the special atmosphere at MUSE has continued, as on Wednesday the Science Museum of Trento celebrates the European Championships with an extended opening until 11 pm.

For Ganna and the whole Italian team, today’s victory represents an excellent start in view of the next races, which could already add to the home team’s tally. “Tomorrow it’s already ITT time, but I really wanted to take in this test, which was also useful for taking stock of the course. Tomorrow there will be plenty of strong rivals to face, as Küng wants to defend the jersey, Evenepoel has shown that he is back to his best after the crash at Lombardia, and Tadej Pogacar needs no introduction too: it will be full gas down to the final meter,“ stated the Time Trial World Champion.

Elisa Longo Borghini could also celebrated a long-pursued European Champions’ jersey. “I am excited for this result, and even more for having obtained it in a team race: I believe these races give a measure to the value of a team, and of a whole movement in this case. I hope that more and more youngsters will be inspired to get into cycling, also thanks to days like this.”

BELGIAN DOMINATION IN JUNIOR MEN’S TIME TRIAL

1 SEGAERT Alec BEL BELGIUM 00:26:27
2 UIJTDEBROEKS Cian BEL BELGIUM 00:05
3 LE HUITOUZE Eddy FRA FRANCE 00:40

8 HERZOG Emil GER GERMANY 00:55
10 KÄRSTEN Moritz GER GERMANY 01:08

In the morning, the Belgian National team scored a beautiful double in the Junior Men’s Individual Time Trial, on the 22.4 km course from the MUSE – Museum of Sciences to Piazza delle Donne Lavoratrici. Alec Segaert defeated the competition and earned the European Champion’s jersey by clocking a 26:26:61 time. Second came fellow Belgian sensation Cian Uijtderbroeks, who had beaten Segaert in the Junior Time Trial at the Belgian National Championships: this time, he finished just 5 seconds shy of the compatriot. The third step of the podium was conquered by French Eddy Le Huitouze, at 40 seconds.

„It is incredible to be able to win here, – commented Alec Segaert after the finish line. „In the first part I went very fast, maybe even too fast, but from the team car they kept telling me I was flying, and this motivated me even more. I was completely done at the finish, but the victory pays off for anything. At the Belgian Championships I had finished second behind Cian, today it was finally my turn.“

ALENA IVANCHENKO EXTENDS TRACK SUCCESS TO THE ROAD

Netherlands’ Elise Uijen could not retain the Junior Women’s Individual Time Trial title in Trento, as it was Alena Ivanchenko to take over the jersey. The Russian made a powerful showing of the skills already displayed on the track on the pan-flat 22.4 km effort. Ivanchenko stopped the clock on 29:11:82, beating German Antonia Niedermaier by 31 seconds, and Elise Uijen by 53 seconds.

For Ivanchenko this was the third prestigious success in just over three weeks, after having graduated World Champion in the Points Race at the Junior Track Cycling World Championships in Cairo (Egypt) and having won the European Champion jersey in the same specialty at the European Youth Track Cycling Championships in Apeldoorn (Netherlands).

UEC Road European Cycling Championships 2021

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Buongiorno Trento: Day 1 – Get the party started I Press Release September 8th, 2021

Good morning from the UEC Road European Cycling Championships. Finally, the long wait is over, and after the long months of preparation, Trento and its territory are ready to live five days of races with great technical and spectacular content.
As traditional, the continental event (8-12 September) gets off in the morning of Wednesday, September 8th with the time trials for the Junior categories: Women start at 9.15 AM CET, followed by Men at 10.45 AM CET.

In the early afternoon, at 2.30 PM CET, it will be the turn of the Team Relay, with 8 competing teams with six riders each (three men and three women).

THE COURSE – THE HIGH-SPEED CHALLENGE STARTS FROM THE MUSE
The time trials’ route at the Trentino 2021 European Championships is perfectly suited to specialists in the discipline, capable of pushing long gears and developing high speeds.
Starting from the MUSE-Museo delle Scienze in Trento, and finishing in the near Piazza delle Donne Lavoratrici, the pan-flat 22.4km loop crosses the towns of Romagnano, Matterello and Aldeno, an area rich of high-quality vineyards.
In the afternoon’s Team Relay, the riders will be engaged over two laps of the TT course, for a total distance of 44.8 km.

A LAND TO DISCOVER – BETWEEN SCIENCE AND WINE
The starting point for all the time trials is the MUSE, the Science Museum of Trento, designed by Renzo Piano like the whole Le Albere district that surrounds it. The Museum offers a journey of discovery through science and nature over five floors and an impressive variety of experiences.
Opened in 2013, in just a few years MUSE has become one of the most visited museums in the Country (and the most popular among science museums) with over 500,000 visitors every year from all over the world.
The time trial route runs through an area renowned for the production of wines such as Traminer and Trento Doc from Aldeno. The area around Trento is also famous for the cultivation and production of Marzemino, a grape variety that has found its ideal habitat in the basaltic soils of the lower Trentino region. Marzemino harmonizes a gentle perfume and a round taste tending towards bitterness.

THE PROTAGONISTS – GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR TOP PROSPECT UIJTDEBROECKS
There’s growing expectations for the Junior races, since the trend for precocious talents in World cycling has become evident in recent years.
In the Junior men’s TT race, Cian Uijtdebroecks seems to have the odds stacked against him. Following in the footsteps of Remco Evenepoel, the new golden boy of Belgian cycling will try to make his mark against some of the brightest talents in world cycling. Among his rivals, Norwegian Per Strand Hargenes might be one of the names to watch.
The Junior Women’s race could be open to more solutions: challenging the defending Champiion, Dutch Elise Uijen, are German Linda Riedmann, Swiss Noelle Ruetschi and Italian Carlotta Cipressi, bronze a year ago in Plouay.
Having become a part of the European Championships’ programme just in 2019, the Team Relay will be a big goal for several strong teams, including Italy, that will be playing up some of its best cards.
Netherlands (2019) and Germany (2020) have won the first two editions, but this time in Trento it could be time for the home Azzurri to celebrate: the line-up of made by Time Trial World Champion Filippo Ganna, Time Trial Italian Champion Matteo Sobrero, Alessandro De Marchi, Elisa Longo Borghini, Marta Cavalli and Elena Cecchini look poised for something big.

WEATHER FORECAST
Good news for the riders, as sun is expected on the course on Wednesday August 8th. A temperature of 20 degrees is forecast for the morning, rising to 24-25 degrees in the early afternoon.

THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP ON TV
On Wednesday September 8th, the Team Relay will be aired live from 14:30 to 17:15 CET, on Eurosport (Pan-European), één (Belgium), TV2 (Denmark), RaiSport (Italy), NRK (Norway), L’Equipe TV (France) and npo.nl (Netherlands).

THE SCHEDULE OF THE DAY
Wednesday 8th September

Junior Women’s Time Trial
Distance: 22.4 km
First rider’s start: 09.15

Time trial Junior Men
Distance: 22.4 km
First rider’s start: 10.45

Team Relay
Distance: 44.8 km (2 laps of 22.4 km)
First team’s start: 14.30

2021 UEC Road European Championships

Eintagsrennen, Europameisterschaften, Vorschau,

European stars to shine in Trento in continental titles’ pursuit

The land of cycling champions like Francesco Moser, Maurizio Fondriest and Gilberto Simoni, Trentino will host the UEC Road European Championships in Trento, Monte Bondone and Valle dei Laghi from September 8th to 12th, 2021.
After a season affected by the pandemic, the European Road Cycling Championships will be among the highlights of a sensational season for Trentino, whose program was officially presented in Milan on Monday, July 12th, 2021, at the Fondazione Riccardo Catella.
During the 2021 summer, Val di Sole will host the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Daolasa di Commezzadura, Trentino (August 25-29), before handing over to Trento for the quest for the Road European Champion’s jerseys from September 8th to 12th, 2021.

Welcomed by Trentino’s Sports Assessor Roberto Failoni, Trentino Marketing’s President and CEO, Gianni Battaiola and Maurizio Rossini, Trento, Bondone, Valle dei Laghi Tourist Board’s President Franco Aldo Bertagnolli, Val di Sole Tourist Board Director Fabio Sacco, UCI Vice-President Renato Di Rocco, UEC (Union Européenne de Cyclisme) President Enrico Della Casa and Italian Cycling Federation President Cordiano Dagnoni attended the event.
Among the guests were also the Mayor of Trento Franco Ianeselli, the Vice-Mayor of Commezzadura Marco Podetti, Italian MTB National Team Coach Mirko Celestino, CPA (Cyclistes Professionnels Associés) President Gianni Bugno, the Managing Director of European Road Cycling Championships Trentino 2021 Maurizio Evangelista, MTB athletes Eleonora Farina and Chiara Teocchi and former cycling champions Francesco Moser and Gilberto Simoni. Italian National Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malagò and Road Cycling National Team Coach Davide Cassani also sent a video message.

In recent years, the European Championships have gained prestige and traction under the aegis of UEC (Union Européenne de Cyclisme), as confirmed by the roll of honor embellished by the name of champions such as Peter Sagan, Alexander Kristoff, Anna van der Breggen, Marianne Vos, Annemiek Van Vleuten and Italian Matteo Trentin, Elia Viviani and Giacomo Nizzolo.
With 13 titles for grabs over five days of competition, the Road European Championships will bring to Trentino over 800 athletes across the Junior, U23 and Elite categories. Scheduled between the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, and the World Championships in Leuven, Belgium, the continental event organized by Trento, Monte Bondone and Valle dei Laghi Tourist Board, in close collaboration with Trentino Marketing, the Municipality of Trento and Trento Eventi Sport, will be hunting ground for punchy all-rounders.

To win on the charming finish line in Trento’s Piazza Duomo, the riders will need to get creative on the technical build-up or use their fast finish. The imagination: a thrilling and entertaining battle should be in the cards for September’s clashes.
For the first time, the Province of Trento will assign an international road cycling title. There is still the exclusive taste of a first time for an area well accustomed to the maximum levels of this sport.

13 TITLES OVER FIVE DAYS
From September 8th to 12th, 2021, a great show is expected on the European Championships courses. Five days of competition and thirteen titles to be awarded (six for men, six for women, and the Team Relay) with the Elite Men’s Road race as the grand finale. With 179,2 km of length, the Elite Men’s race will face the starting in-line section that crosses the Valle dei Laghi, and the famous climb of Monte Bondone from the Sopramonte/Candriai side. From the top, the riders will take a downhill slope towards Trento, where they will face eight laps of the 13,2 km city circuit with the Povo climb (3,6 km at 4,7%).
On the previous days, the city circuit will host the other European Championships races with start and finish in Piazza Duomo, while the time trials will take off from the MUSE – Sciences Museum in Trento, with the finish line located in Piazza delle Donne Lavoratrici, taking place on a flat and fast course, suited to the specialists of the discipline.

THE PROGRAM
Here is the program of the 2021 UEC Road European Championships:

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
Junior Women Individual Time Trial – 22,4 km
Junior Men Individual Time Trial – 22,4 km
Team Relay (Men/Women Team Time Trial) – 44,8 km (2 laps of 22,4 km)

Thursday, September 9th, 2021
Elite Women Individual Time Trial – 22,4 km
U23 Women Individual Time Trial – 22,4 km
U23 Men Individual Time Trial – 22,4 km
Elite Men Individual Time Trial – 22,4 km

Friday, September 10th, 2021
Junior Men Road Race – 107,2 km
Junior Women Road Race – 67,6 km
U23 Women Road Race – 80,8 km

Saturday, September 11th, 2021
U23 Men Road Race – 133,6 km
Elite Women Road Race – 107,2 km

Sunday, September 12th, 2021
Elite Men Road Race – 179,2 km

THE RISE OF THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Road European Championships were first contested 25 years ago (1995), and have grown in prominence in recent years thanks to the commitment of the UEC (Union Européenne de Cyclisme) in valorizing the tradition of cycling in Europe, where the sport was born and raised.
Since 2016, the European Champions of all categories have worn the champion’s jersey for an entire season. After the victory of Peter Sagan (2016) and Alexander Kristoff (2017), three Italian riders in a row claimed the Men’s Elite title: Matteo Trentin in Glasgow (2018), Elia Viviani in Alkmaar (2019), and Giacomo Nizzolo in Plouay (2020).
A POSTCARD FROM TRENTINO
After the renouncement to the 2020 edition due to the Covid-19 situation and the postponement to 2021, Trentino looks at the European Road Cycling Championships as a perfect showcase to display its beautiful landscapes. Thanks to the Eurovision TV coverage and the use of innovative solutions, the continental event will be broadcast in 71 Countries, exceeding the 14 million viewers registered in 2020.

“It will be a great showcase for Trentino, as well as for the city of Trento and the green landscapes that surround it, enhanced by the race finishes held in the innovative Albere district and the heart of the city, in Piazza Duomo. This initiative was made possible by the perfect collaboration with the city administration led by Mayor Franco Ianeselli. Once again, Trento confirms its sporting spirit on the great occasion”, said Franco Aldo Bertagnolli, President of Trento, Monte Bondone, Valle dei Laghi Tourist Board.
QUOTES

ROBERTO FAILONI (Trentino’s Tourism and Sport Assessor): “Cycling in Trentino has a long and successful history, but this season will be a memorable one. After a tough year, this amazing programme of events serves as a boost for the restart, in the name of Trentino’s organizational capacity, supported by the marketing and communication investments that are pushing us towards summer of good results.”

GIANNI BATTAIOLA (Trentino Marketing President): “We are all in need of normality, and we want to show to the whole World that our territory can be reached and enjoyed in full safety. We want to show what Trentino can give, making the most of the opportunity coming from these major events.”

MAURIZIO ROSSINI (CEO Trentino Marketing): “The Trentino 2021 European Championships and the MTB World Championships in Val di Sole are a challenge that Trentino is eager to take. In this year of restart, we are showing how strong the roots that bind us to cycling and bicycles are. From our history of great events to a great cycling offer for all two-wheels lovers, cycling always finds its elected land in Trentino.”

GIOVANNI MALAGO’ (Italian National Olympic Commitee President): “Our Olympic Committee is proud of those who, like the Trentino’s organizers, commit for the prestige of our sports movement with World-class events. We are grateful to who brings such added value to Italian sports as a whole.”

RENATO DI ROCCO (UCI Vice President): “Trentino has showed to believe in cycling and showed it in plenty of occasions. It’s a long history of professionality and success, and I have no doubt that the MTB World Championships and the Road European Championships will add new gems to this collection.”

CORDIANO DAGNONI (Italian Cycling Federation President): “There’s great synergy between our Federation and Trentino, a land of cycling champions and great organizational skills. This 2021 summer will be a major showcase for our Italian cycling movement.”

FRANCO IANESELLI (Mayor of Trento): “I am glad because the European Champs will be a key stage for Trento’s return to normal, and because we are proud to welcome such a number of champions. Trento lives and moves by bike, and the city can’t wait to live the event.”

FRANCO BERTAGNOLLI (Trento, Monte Bondone, Valle dei Laghi Tourist Board President): “Cycling is part of our history and culture, and the European Championships will be a valuable opportunity to communicate what our land has to give to cyclo-tourists from all over the World.”

ENRICO DELLA CASA (Presidente UEC): “In September, 800 athletes from 45 nations and overall 1200 people will reach Trento and Trentino, a land of great hospitality. We are putting on great teamwork with the local committee and authorities to provide a spectacular edition.“

MAURIZIO EVANGELISTA (Managing Director Euroroad 2021): “It is going to be a spectacular European Championship for the beauty of its courses and its locations. The races will live starts and finishes in places of great significant in Trento, and the Elite Men’s race will also cross the charming Valle dei Laghi and climb iconic Monte Bondone. The distance under 180 km will result into explosive races, that will enhance the technical prestige of the events and possibly stage a challenge between different generations.”

FRANCESCO MOSER: „Cycling is part of our life, thanks to the mountains, the cycle path and MTB courses of our land. Those events are the highest point of a long process started many years ago, and that is now paying off.”

GILBERTO SIMONI: “I expect a spectacular and tense race in Trento. Those who lose a few seconds on the Candriai climb will struggle to recover them on the downhill. Also, athletes cannot overlook the Povo climb: it won’t be easy as it seems.”

GIANNI BUGNO (CPA President): “The route is beautiful and very well maintained, both the road race and time trial ones. The spectacular finish in Piazza Duomo adds further hype to an entertaining, technical and safe course.”

DAVIDE CASSANI (Italian Road National Team Coach): “Congrats to Trentino for the exceptional value of the events they keep on staging, from the great festival of the MTB World Championships to a European Road Championship where we’ll try to repeat the feats of the last three editions. It’s a route suited for fast athletes, but they’ll have to work for a their opportunity on a technical and entertaining course.”

Milan (Italy), July 12th, 2021

Elia Viviani ist der neue Europameister 2019

Eintagsrennen, Europameisterschaften, , ,

1 Elia Viviani (Italy) 3:30:52
2 Yves Lampaert (Belgium) 0:00:01
3 Pascal Ackermann (Germany) 0:00:09
4 Alexander Kristoff (Norway) 0:00:33
5 Michael Mørkøv (Denmark)
6 Sam Bennett (Ireland)
7 Matteo Trentin (Italy)
8 Luka Mezgec (Slovenia)
9 Arnaud Demare (France)
10 Rüdiger Selig (Germany)

In einem harten, vom starken Wind geprägten Rennen, war Elia Viviani am Ende in einer 3-köpfigen Spitzengruppe der Stärkste und krönte damit den starken Auftritt der italienischen Mannschaft.
Pascal Ackermann behauptete sich lange in der Spitze und belegte am Ende den guten 3. Rang, den starken Antritten seiner Fluchtgenossen konnte er auf den letzten Metern nicht mehr kontern.
Das Deceuninck-Duo taktierte geschickt und nutzte die numerische Überlegenheit gegen Ackermann perfekt aus.
Enttäüschend verlief die EM der Elite für die holländischen Hausherren, die bei ihren Bedingungen trotz aller Bemühungen keinen Fahrer unter die ersten 10 brachten.

Text und Fotos:
Gerhard Plomitzer – www.plomi.smugmug.com