Remco Evenepoel crashes after late attack at European Cycling Championships in Slovenia

Route layout and absent champions

The men's road race at the European Cycling Championships took place on Sunday across a 196.3-kilometer route between Ljubljana and Šenčur in Slovenia. The opening section of the course featured flat terrain before the peloton reached a five-lap finishing circuit. Each circuit lap centered on the Možjanca climb, a 2.1-kilometer ascent averaging a 10.3% gradient designed to test punchy riders and climbers. Defending champion Tadej Pogacar was unable to compete on home roads due to injuries sustained in a crash during the Vuelta a España. Several other prominent figures, including Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, were also absent from the start list. Evenepoel, Slovenia's Primoz Roglic, Italy's Giulio Ciccone, and Denmark's Mads Pedersen entered as the primary contenders.

Contenders and early breakaway control

The competition began at 12:30, one day after Demi Vollering claimed the women's road title. Remco Evenepoel entered the race seeking the continental title, the only grand title missing from his palmarès, after finishing second in the European road race the previous year. The Belgian leader and the French team both sought redemption following difficult races at the World Championships in Montreal one week earlier. Belgium positioned riders at the front of the peloton from the early kilometers. At 159 kilometers from the finish, Belgian rider Quinten Hermans attempted to launch a secondary move with two companions, though the three were quickly brought back. The Belgian team then controlled the pursuit behind an early breakaway, letting the gap reach slightly over one minute at the 116-kilometer mark.

Circuit laps and field attrition

The peloton crossed onto the local circuit with 110 kilometers remaining to begin the first of five laps over the Možjanca climb. Belgian pace-setting reduced the breakaway advantage to less than 20 seconds with 101 kilometers remaining. During the second lap, with 86 kilometers to go, the peloton absorbed the early leaders. The sustained pace caused fractures in the main group, and Spanish contender Juan Ayuso struggled off the back with 80 kilometers left. France competed without 20-year-old Paul Seixas, who finished 15th at the Montreal World Championships and prepared instead for the Tour of Lombardy on 10 October. French team manager Thomas Voeckler deployed an alternative lineup led by Kévin Vauquelin, Romain Grégoire, and Léo Bisiaux.

Late attacks and Evenepoel crash

Belgium maintained a high tempo through the third lap with 54 kilometers remaining, keeping Evenepoel well positioned near the front. French rider Pavel Sivakov attacked solo with 48 kilometers left, opening a gap of approximately ten seconds over the peloton. The main group caught Sivakov with 38 kilometers remaining, at which point Italian and Slovenian teams increased the pace. With 36 kilometers to go, Evenepoel launched a sharp attack that drew an immediate response from Italy's Giulio Ciccone. Shortly after gaining separation with Ciccone, Evenepoel crashed on the course.