Evenepoel puts worlds ‘disappointment’ to bed with European crown

In Sencur, Slovenia, Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel secured a double victory by winning the men's elite road race at the UEC European Road Cycling Championships, effectively quelling the disappointment from his failure to win the world championship earlier this month. The race, held in Evenepoel's home country, saw the 2024 Olympic road racing gold medallist overtake Italian rival Giulio Ciccone at the finish line, while Belgian cyclist Brandon McNulty finished third in the prestigious event.

Evenepoel, who was the pre-race favorite, was accompanied by other notable riders such as Jonas Vingegaard, Paul Seixas, Tom Pidcock, and Mathieu van der Poel, who were absent due to injury. Pogacar, a joint-record five-time Tour de France champion, was present as a spectator, appearing in a car along the route, a gesture appreciated by local fans.

During the race, Evenepoel and Ciccone were in a close battle, with the two riders ending neck and neck before Evenepoel managed to cross the finish line first in the final stretch of the 36km remaining portion of the 196km course.