2026 European Championships Elite Women's Time Trial Preview | Reusser v Vollering for the last time in 2026
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Follow us on GoogleFive days after the Women’s European Road Cycling Championships, the best of the European women's peloton will compete against the clock on Wednesday. Can Marlen Reusser win her fifth title in Slovenia, or will Demi Vollering pull off an upset? IDL Pro Cycling takes you through the route, favourites and timing details.
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Recent winners of the European Women's Time Trial Championships
2025 Marlen Reusser
2024 Lotte Kopecky
2024 Lotte Kopecky
2023 Marlen Reusser
2022 Marlen Reusser
2021 Marlen Reusser
2020 Anna van der Breggen
2019 Ellen van Dijk
2018 Ellen van Dijk
2017 Ellen van Dijk
2016 Ellen van Dijk
2026 European Time Trial Championships – Elite Women: route, weather, and times
Just like the road races we've already seen, the town of Sencur—which is also home to the airport of the capital, Ljubljana—plays a central role in the European Time Trial Championships for elite women.
The decisive climb is the same, too, because just like in the road race, riders must tackle the Možjanca climb. At 2.1 kilometers long with a 10.2% gradient, that climb is quite challenging, especially in a time trial.
The first 5.8 kilometers are still flat, but then, after the first timing checkpoint, the Mozjanca climb begins. What makes the climb even tougher is that it isn’t immediately followed by a descent. The route continues to grind on for another three kilometers before it finally starts to drop.
With 7 kilometers to go, we then reach the bottom, after which the riders head toward the finish line on flat, not-too-technical roads. That brings the total distance to 22 kilometers, which is relatively short.
Weather
Wednesday is expected to be a nice day in Slovenia. With a light to moderate breeze, temperatures are expected to be around 20 degrees Celsius.
Wednesday is expected to be a nice day in Slovenia. With a light to moderate breeze, temperatures are expected to be around 20 degrees Celsius.
Times
Start: 1:30 p.m GMT / 8:30 a.m EST
Finish: approximately 3:00 p.m GMT / 10:00 a.m EST
Start: 1:30 p.m GMT / 8:30 a.m EST
Finish: approximately 3:00 p.m GMT / 10:00 a.m EST
Favourites for the 2026 European Time Trial Championships, Elite Women
The field at the European Championships isn't exactly large: no more than 15 to 20 participants are expected in Slovenia.
In terms of quality, though, it’s top-notch. While Remco Evenepoel Filippo Ganna and Paul Seixas are skipping the men’s race, the situation is very different for the women. Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) is “just” there in her quest for her fifth European Championship title.
The Dutch have Lieke Nooijen and Demi Vollering, who, as the best climber, might be able to make a difference against Reusser on the climbs. For Vollering, this is her final race of a very successful cycling season.
Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) and Franziska Koch ( Germany) will also be competing, after returning from Canada with medals.
The start list also includes Cedrine Kerbaol, Juliette Berthet (France), Lauren Dickson ( Great Britain), Monica Trinca Colonel (Italy), Lotte Claes, and Sandrine Tas (Belgium), among others.
IDL Pro Cycling top picks for the European Championships elite women's time trial
Top Favorite: Marlen Reusser (Switzerland)
Dark horses: Demi Vollering (Netherlands), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy), and Franziska Koch (Germany)
Long shots: Lieke Nooijen (Netherlands), Cedrine Kerbaol, Juliette Berthet (France), Lauren Dickson (Great Britain), Monica Trinca Colonel (Italy), and Sandrine Tas (Belgium)
Dark horses: Demi Vollering (Netherlands), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy), and Franziska Koch (Germany)
Long shots: Lieke Nooijen (Netherlands), Cedrine Kerbaol, Juliette Berthet (France), Lauren Dickson (Great Britain), Monica Trinca Colonel (Italy), and Sandrine Tas (Belgium)
How to watch the 2026 European Championships Elite Women's time trial on TV
| Country | Streaming service |
| UK | TNT Sports |
| Europe | HBO Max/Europsport |
| USA & Canada | FloBikes |
| Australia | Stan sports |
Read also
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- - Grande articolo. Evenepoel e Ciccone al limite totale — respeto. Pero por favor, UEC, mostra la foto esatta della linea per evitare polemiche.jeremya06-10-2026
- - Not totally convinced by the “no further statements” line from UEC. If they used dual systems, where’s the corroborating second image? Publish both or it feels a bit opaque, ragazzi.julien06-10-2026
- - Quick one: why do the wheels look “bent” in the photo finish? Is that just the time axis thing you mentioned?lindae06-10-2026
- - Remco by a whisker is believable, but Cicco’s request is fair. In track and road we always go by the leading edge of the front tyre at the line—show the exact pixel row of the stripe and we’re done. Good piece.samanthak06-10-2026
- - Blimey, what a nail-biter. If the margin’s0028s and they’ve got EtherLynx running at 13,000 fps, just release the raw line-scan image and close the debate. Transparency costs nothing.cadencekingm06-10-2026
- - Wait, what does “qualified in age group 35–39” mean—does that race separately from the elites at Worlds, or is it all together? And do you need a UCI license for that? Gracias por la info, cheers.andrewf05-10-2026
- - While others are relaxing on their boats… he’s grinding gravel. Legend. Go VB77!michael5405-10-2026
- - That 56 km first leg looks like a shakeout ride. Does he plan to split it over 3–4 days? Heat/humidity in SEA is brutal—electrolytes will be key.sprocketspiny05-10-2026
- - “Undertakeke” made me laugh but edit pls. Also, is the course in Nannup more climby or flat farm roads? Would’ve suited Valtteri’s diesel engine, I reckon.julien05-10-2026
- - Tiffany Cromwell shoutout is deserved. They recon together and you can see her influence in his pacing and position on dirt. Great duo.pedalpowe2905-10-2026
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