UEC European Championships: France storm to elite mixed relay TTT victory

Only six nations took to the start on Šenčur for the 44km race, the equal fewest which comprised two laps of the circuit used to close all the road races, which included the climb to Možjanca and its brutal gradients up to 15%. Each nation field a six-rider team, their three men riding the first 22km lap, with the women starting their once the second man completed his race. The team’s time was taken when the second woman crossed the line.

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

The home Slovenian squad were first off, their three men heading down the ramp at 15:30 local time and setting a time of 30:18 at the changeover. Behind them, though, France were flying, seeing a fastest time of 13:15 at the opening split, 8km into their ride, some 26 seconds quicker than World Champions Italy, the final team to set off.

France racing in the elite mixed relay TTT (Image credit: Getty Images)

At the change, the French were by far the fastest team, eclipsing the Slovenians, stopping the clock at 28:03, more than two minutes faster than the Slovenians and some 24 seconds faster than the Italians, who had failed to make up any time from the first time check.

Further down the running order, some of the other teams struggled badly, their stronger riders being forced to slow for their compatriots to ensure two riders were together at the finish.

While the Italian team had two changes from the six riders who won the World Championships in Canada last month – meaning four of them ride in the rainbow stripes and two in the azure of the Italian team – the French had only one substitution, Jordan Labrosse being replaced by Guernalec, allowing them more continuity.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Position

Nation

Time

1

France

1:00:19

2

Italy

1:01:31

3

Luxembourg

1:03:53

4

Poland

1:04:20

5

Slovenia

1:06:26

6

Ukraine

1:07:31