With the Road World Championships just concluded, it was already time for the European Championships. The opening event in Ljubljana, Slovenia was the Women's U23 Road Race, held over four laps of a circuit featuring the demanding climb of Mozjanca (2.1km at 10.2%).
On the second ascent, the Dutch team pushed the pace, splitting the field. Gaia Segato then launched a solo attack. In the following phases, the group regrouped, catching the Italian rider at the foot of the next climb. It was precisely here that the race favourites, such as Chladonova, Ciabocco and Vinke, made their moves.
As the race entered the final lap, Megan Arens and Mara Winter were leading with a 57-second gap over Kagevi and 1'08" over the peloton, led by Spain and Italy. On the final climb, Nienke Vinke and world champion Viktoria Chladonova made the decisive move, quickly bridging to the front duo. A six-rider chase group closed in dangerously, but thanks to Arens' turns at the front, the lead quartet made it to the line to sprint for the title.
FINISHING ORDER - UEC Road European Championships, Women U23 Road Race:
1. Mara Winter (SUI)
2. Nienke Vinke (NED)
3. Viktoria Chladonova (SVK)
4. Megan Arens
Winter showed great tactical sharpness by attacking before the final corner, with the world champion on her wheel. The Swiss rider held off Vinke's late surge to claim a surprise victory, following her impressive fourth-place finish at the Road World Championships in Montreal.