10 RIDERS CHASING EUROPEAN TITLES IN ARDÈCHE

Ten CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto riders will have stars in their eyes this week, lining up to challenge for a starred blue jersey at the European Road Championships, from October 1-5.

Finland’s Wilma Aintila and Germany’s Justyna Czapla will compete in both the Under-23 time trial and road race. Joëlle Messemer and Jule Märkl will bolster the German squad in the road race only. Justyna, fresh from a fantastic seventh in the U23 time trial and a solid 16th in the road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda, is optimistic about building on those performances.

“I had hoped for a bit more at Worlds, but unfortunately luck wasn’t really on my side and I ended up getting sick. Still, I gave it my all and I plan to do the same at the Europeans. Hopefully I’ll be back to full health by then and ready to go for it again. The courses seem to suit me well, so I’m aiming to compete with the best in both the time trial and the road race. I don’t want to set any specific expectations, but I believe I’ve got the legs for it. Considering that Worlds didn’t go too badly despite the illness, I think I can head into the next races with confidence.”

With Worlds and the European Championships coming in back-to-back weeks, the quick turnaround is something that Justyna is not overlooking.

“Since there are only five days for me between Worlds and Europeans, it’s really important to focus on recovery. That’s why we decided that I’ll travel directly from Rwanda to France for the Europeans. It saves me unnecessary travel stress and allows me to recover better. My training has also been adjusted and I’m not doing much anymore. Otherwise, I’m trying to do what’s good for me and enjoying the time with the team so that I’m well prepared for the next and final races. Of course I also need to get healthy again quickly, so it’s good to have some easier days now.”

In the European Championships elite field, only Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka will line up for the time trial, while Ricarda Bauernfeind, Antonia Niedermaier, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Soraya Paladin, and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig will contest the road race.

For Agnieszka, who skipped worlds in Rwanda, the build-up to the continental championships has been a chance to focus fully on the one target, although she sees merit in both approaches.

“Not going to Worlds definitely gave me more time to prepare in a calm and structured way. I could train according to the plan without the stress of travel and acclimatisation, which was helpful for focus. On the other hand, racing at such a big event also gives valuable experience, so it’s hard to say it’s a clear advantage – it’s just a different path.”

She’s feeling like she’s in a good place.

“My preparations have gone well – consistent work step-by-step. I focused on endurance and explosiveness and in the last weeks, also on technical details. I feel good, fresh and motivated. I’m ready to give everything at Europeans.”

With the European Championships set in France’s Ardèche and Drôme regions, the long-standing Tour de l’Ardèche attracted extra interest this September, as some riders looked to test the area’s relentless roads ahead of the continental showdown.

Interestingly, as is often the case in the European titles, the U19, Elite, and U23 men, and the U23 and Elite women, all complete the same 24km time trial course. It’s a gently undulating, point-to-point route between two small French towns in the Drôme department – an area of relative flatness near the mighty Rhône river. The final 1.5km features a gradual but stinging 4% climb – a punishing point in closing stages where the race can be won or lost.

Agnieszka has had her eye on this course for some time.

“It’s an important race for me because the course really fits my characteristics. I want to ride evenly and strongly from start to finish, without tactical mistakes. If I manage that, I believe the result will be satisfying. My goal is to really fight for the best possible placing.”

The U23 women’s road race may cover a modest 85.7km, but it packs in over 1500 metres of climbing, delivered entirely on decisive, leg-sapping ascents with no other slight undulations in sight. The peloton faces two demanding laps of a 17km championships circuit, entirely flat ‘except’ for the narrow, brutal Val d’Enfer (1.4km at 10.4%), where sweeping views of the valley will be the backdrop for immense suffering. From there, the course detours away from the loop to take on the daunting Saint Romain de Leps (7.1km at 7%) – the opening 2.4km grinding up at a punishing 9%. A challenging descent then funnels the riders back down for two more local circuits.

The 119.8km elite women’s road race is slightly less packed, opening with a steady 7km climb (5% average) out of Privas, the regional capital, before a long downhill and flat run to the local circuit at kilometre 48. From there, the course mirrors the U23 women’s race but with just one lap of the circuit before the lengthier Saint Romain ascent. The parcours will excite the more pure climbers, but it also leaves room for the puncheurs who fancy their chances of clawing their way back on the flats each time.

Ricarda Bauernfeind sadly had to miss road worlds due to illness, a race that had been a major personal goal. Nevertheless, she’s taken the time to recover and is optimistic about this European Championships road race.

“The Euros road course looks really interesting. It all depends on how the race unfolds and how riders handle the longer climb in the final third. It could come down to a small group or perhaps a slightly larger bunch sprint. For me, the goal is to have a strong race and support my teammates. We’ve got a strong team, and I think we can come away with a good result.”

Just a stone’s throw across the Rhône from Valence, the unassuming town of Guilherand-Granges boasts an exciting circuit, setting the stage for worthy new wearers of the stars to be crowned.

HOW TO FOLLOW

U23 Women Time Trial | Wednesday, Oct 01  | 24km | 215m elevation | Start 12:00 CET.

Elite Women Time Trial | Wednesday, Oct 01  | 24km | 215m elevation | Start 14:20 CET. LIVE from 14:10.

Mixed Team Relay | Thursday, Oct 02  | 20.1km | 156m elevation | Start 14:30. LIVE from 14:20.

U23 Women Road Race | Friday, Oct 03  | 85.7km | 1563m elevation | Start 9:00 – 11:25 CET.

Elite Women Road Race | Saturday, Oct 04  | 119.8km | 1763m elevation | Start 14:00 – 17:00 CET. LIVE from 13:30.

Live coverage of some events is available on L’Equipe TV, Rai Sport, Eurosport, Discovery+, and other local broadcasters. Stay updated on X with #EuroRoad25, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto social channels for the latest team news.