European Championships 2021

The road

At the start

Trento, a week before the Worlds

Six days after the Vuelta ended and a week before the Worlds in Flanders, the European title is settled on a hard circuit above Trento: 182 kilometres, three climbs on the way in and then the ramp to Povo eight times over. Italy have won the last three editions and bring Trentin, Colbrelli, Ganna and Moscon. Belgium have Evenepoel with something to prove.

How it was won

1. 1141 km to go

   The break that keeps growing

   A reluctant four have barely a minute when the road tilts up at Vigo Cavedine, and half the peloton decides it wants in. Pinot, Landa, De la Cruz and Großschartner bridge; Italy send Bagioli up to police them.

2. 2115 km to go

   The race explodes on the Candriai

   On the long haul up to Candriai and the plunge off the far side the front group comes apart, Landa and Bonnamour spat out the back. Bardet, Evenepoel, Moscon and Sivakov go from the bunch — speculative, 115km out, and enough to break the day open.

3. 368 km to go

   The échappée royale

   Pogačar, Trentin, Campenaerts, Padun and Hoelgaard clear off with 68km left and take 36 seconds. France panic, burn through their entire team to close it, and blow the peloton to pieces in the process.

4. 422 km to go

   Evenepoel lights the Povo

   Nine riders are left when Remco Evenepoel stands up on the penultimate ascent of the Povo, 22km out. It is a savage acceleration and only Sonny Colbrelli and Benoît Cosnefroy can hold the wheel.

5. 59 km to go

   One rival left

   Evenepoel goes again on the last time up the climb and shakes Cosnefroy loose, but Colbrelli will not be shaken. The Belgian drives the descent knowing exactly what waits for him at the bottom.

6. 6At the line

   Colbrelli wins at home

   A two-up sprint in Trento in front of a delirious Italian crowd, and there is only one outcome. Colbrelli takes the title, Evenepoel silver, Cosnefroy in a minute and a half later for bronze.

The result