Evenepoel takes silver as Pogačar solos to European title

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel claimed the silver medal at the European road race championships on Sunday, finishing second behind Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar after a demanding 202.5-kilometre course in the Ardèche, southern France. French rider Paul Seixas, 19, took bronze.

The race, from Privas to Guilherand-Granges, was expected to deliver a close duel between Evenepoel and world champion Pogačar. The decisive move came with around 75 kilometres to go, when Pogačar attacked on the Saint-Romain-de-Lerps climb. Evenepoel initially responded but was eventually forced to let the Slovenian go.

Despite his efforts to close the gap, Evenepoel crossed the line around 30 seconds behind the new European champion. He thus repeated his silver from the World Championships in Kigali a week earlier.

Pogačar’s win delivered Slovenia its first ever European road title. The Slovenian will defend the jersey next year on home soil.

^{Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar crosses the finish line © BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS}