Remco Evenepoel wins the European Road Cycling Championship in Slovenia after a close sprint against Giulio Ciccone

A race led by Remco Evenepoel is inevitably a race with twists and turns. Huge favorite for the European road cycling championships in Slovenia, the Belgian leader won this Sunday after 196 km of effort. But Evenepoel came within inches of failing to complete his championship collection under the eyes of Tadej Pogacar, at the side of the road and then in a VIP car.

The Red-Bull Bora-Hansgrohe rider first fell at the top of the day's difficulty, the ascent of Mozjanca in a very tight bend. A fall that could only happen to a runner strong enough to produce enough speed at the end of the climb. “I put in a good attack but I think I went too fast on the climb,” smiled the Belgian at the Eurosport microphone. But I remained calm. »

A crazy final sprint against Ciccone

Back on the pedals as usual, helped by two of his teammates, he immediately countered the group of favorites, surprising everyone except Giulio Ciccone. As at the Quebec GP, also won by the world time trial champion, the Italian stuck in the favorite's wheel until the finish line.

The perfect shot this time was very close to working. Taking advantage of Evenepoel's excessive caution on a tight turn in the final sprint, Ciccone managed to make the break on the restart. But the Italian could not resist the brutal return of his rival, who ultimately won the sprint thanks to a much better bike throw on the line. Tied at the photo finish, the two men remained in limbo for several minutes. The leader of Belgium says he never doubted. “I really had the feeling that I was coming back, I thought I had won, but you never know. »