The UEC Road European Championships in Ljubljana delivered a thrilling Women Elite road race over 130 km. Following an early breakaway by Carina Schrempf and Margot Vanpachtenbeke, the race ignited on the demanding circuit featuring the Možjanca climb. The strong Dutch team controlled the pace, eventually neutralizing all early moves.
As the race reached its climax, multiple attacks lit up the final stages, involving riders like Franziska Koch, Cecilie Ludwig, Liane Lippert, and Marlen Reusser. The decisive moment came on the final ascent when multi-disciplinary star Puck Pieterse launched a powerful forcing, reducing the lead group to just herself, Demi Vollering, and Kasia Niewiadoma. Newly crowned World Champion Vollering then unleashed her winning attack, riding solo to the finish line.
Behind her, Puck Pieterse secured the silver medal by winning the sprint of the chasing group, completing a 1-2 finish for the Netherlands. Marlen Reusser took third, while Elisa Longo Borghini finished close behind. A late crash involving Kasia Niewiadoma unfortunately disrupted the final sprint for the minor podium places.