Dutch rider Demi Vollering won the elite women’s road race at the 2026 UEC Road European Championships. The reigning world champion successfully defended her European title in Šenčur, holding both titles simultaneously for the first time in her career. Slovenia’s best-placed rider was Nika Bobnar in 43rd place.
Europe’s top female riders competed over a 130-kilometre course, starting at Kongresni trg in Ljubljana and finishing in Šenčur. Dutch rider Demi Vollering claimed the European title for the second consecutive year. Her compatriot Puck Pieterse took silver, while Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser claimed bronze.
Vollering successfully defended the European title she won in France last year. She arrived in Slovenia as the reigning world champion after winning the road race world title in Montréal a week earlier. With her victory in Šenčur, she holds the world and European titles simultaneously for the first time in her career.
“I really love winning and I never get tired of it. But for me, it’s not just about winning. It’s also about constantly improving, working on yourself every day and finding out what more you can achieve in the future,” Vollering said after her victory, adding that she is already looking forward to racing in the European champion’s jersey next season.
The best of the three Slovenian riders was Nika Bobnar, who finished 43rd, 8 minutes and 4 seconds behind the winner. Tjaša Sušnik finished 50th, while Špela Kern was 51st.
Race results: https://www.uec.ch/en/event/281/2026-uec-road-european-championships