#EUROROAD23 Crowns Individual Time-Trial Champions
The 2023 Road European Championships kicked off in Emmen, Netherlands, today with the presentation of the six Time-Trial titles. The competition will conclude on September 24 with the Elite Men’s Road race.
Federica Venturelli of Italy claimed victory in the Women’s Juniors race, completing the 19.8-kilometer course in 26’26” at an average speed of 45 km/h. She triumphed over Stina Kagevi of Sweden, who finished 23 seconds behind, and Germany’s Hannah Kunz, who secured third place with a time of 26’56”.
Albert Philipsen of Denmark emerged as the winner in the Men’s race. Philipsen, who has already achieved success this season with European and World MTB Cross-Country titles, as well as the Rainbow Road jersey, completed the 19.8 km race in 22’48”, recording an average speed of 52.080 km/h. He outpaced Jorgen Nordhagen of Norway, who finished 46 seconds behind, and Belgium’s Sente Sentjens, who took third place with a time of 49’12”.
Zoe Backstedt of Britain dominated the Under 23 Women’s race, finishing 57 seconds ahead of World Champion Antonia Niedermaier of Germany, who claimed second place. Finland’s Anniina Ahtosalo secured the bronze medal with a time of 1’33”.
Defending champion Alec Segaert of Belgium secured a comfortable victory in the Men’s Under 23 race, finishing 37 seconds ahead of second-placed Carl-Frederik Bévort of Denmark. Gustav Wang of Denmark took third place with a time of 52 seconds.
Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser celebrated her 32nd birthday by winning her third European title in the Women’s Elite category. Reusser completed the course in 35’53” at an average speed of 49.820 km/h. She finished ahead of Anna Henderson of Britain, who had a time of 43”, and Austria’s Christina Schweinberger, who finished at 44”.
The Men’s Elite title went to Joshua Tarling of Great Britain, who completed the 29.8 km race in 31’30”. Tarling, born in 2004 and a third-place finisher at the World Championships a month ago, dominated the course with an average speed of 56.760. Stefan Bissegger of Switzerland, the outgoing European champion, finished second with a time of 42”, followed by Wout Van Aert of Belgium in third place with a time of 43”.
The 2023 Road European Championships will continue tomorrow with the Mixed Team Relay events, which now includes a race for Juniors in addition to the Elite category.
