The third and final ITT of the day at the UEC Road European Championships in Ljubljana was the Elite race, held over the same 22km Sencur circuit featuring the climb of Mozjanca (2.1km at 10.2%).
The race tipped in favour of world champion Marlen Reusser right from the start. At the first time check, the Swiss rider led the standings by 11 seconds over Demi Vollering, despite having already tackled the climb, which on paper favoured the Dutch star. All other contenders were much further back, led by Elisa Longo Borghini in third (+55"), the only rider within a minute of the lead. It was a tough outing for world bronze medallist Franziska Koch, who was caught on the climb by both Vollering and Reusser.
Juliette Berthet produced a strong second half of the race, overtaking both Wlodarczyk and Longo Borghini to take the hot seat while awaiting the final two riders on course. Meanwhile, Reusser extended her advantage over Vollering by another 10 seconds at the second intermediate check.
The world champion maintained her powerful pace to cross the line in 31:30.84 (41.9km/h), claiming her fifth European time trial title and moving clear at the top of the all-time winners list ahead of Ellen van Dijk. Silver went to a nevertheless satisfied Demi Vollering, 23 seconds behind the winner, while Berthet completed the podium at 1:10.13.
FINISHING ORDER - UEC Road European Championships, Women Elite ITT (22km):
1. Marlen Reusser (SUI) 31:30.84
2. Demi Vollering (NED) +0:23.33
3. Juliette Berthet (FRA) +1:10.13
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) +1:16.68
5. Dominika Wlodarczyk (POL) +1:30.79
6. Cedrine Kerbaol (FRA) +1:59.96
7. Sandrine Tas (BEL) +2:01.87
8. Lauren Dickson (GBR) +2:22.70
9. Lotte Claes (BEL) +2:37.26
10. Lieke Nooijen (NED) +2:40.01
Also noteworthy was the 7th-place finish of former speed skater Sandrine Tas, continuing her rapid progress in the discipline, and the remarkable ride of Nienke Vinke, whose winning time in the Under-23 category was actually 4 seconds faster than Elite bronze medallist Berthet's.