Switzerland’s Mara Winter is the new European Champion in the Women’s Under-23 category. The best-placed Slovenian rider was Pija Galof, who finished 33rd.
The 2026 UEC Road European Championships opened with the Women’s Under-23 road race, contested over an 88.4-kilometre course, starting and finishing in Šenčur. The first European title of this year’s Championships was decided in a sprint to the finish, with Switzerland’s Mara Winter proving the fastest. She was joined on the podium by Dutch rider Nienke Vinke, who claimed silver, and reigning World Champion Viktória Chladoňová of Slovakia, who took bronze. The 20-year-old Swiss rider thus claimed European gold just eight days after finishing fourth at the World Championships in Montreal.
»I can’t believe it – it feels like I’m dreaming. The race was very demanding, especially because of the steep climb, which was followed by several shorter climbs. The final part was particularly tough,« Winter said after her victory.
The best-placed Slovenian rider, Pija Galof, finished the race in 33rd place, 6 minutes and 7 seconds behind the winner. A former Slovenian junior national champion in both the road race and individual time trial, she recorded the best Slovenian result in the opening race of the Championships.
The start in Šenčur was accompanied by a performance by pupils from Šenčur Primary School, together with children from the Sončki association, who symbolically sent the riders on their way. The opening of the Championships was marked by UEC President Enrico Della Casa, Mayor of the Municipality of Šenčur Ciril Kozjek and Mayor of the Municipality of Preddvor Rok Roblek, who waved the start flags.
Race results: https://www.uec.ch/en/event/281/2026-uec-road-european-championships