Vollering adds the Women’s European Championships road race jersey to her rainbow wardrobe

From the capital, Ljubljana—where we’ll start at 1:30 p.m.—the route will be virtually flat for over ninety kilometers. Passing through Kranj, Valburga, and Kamnik, the riders will arrive in Komenda, the birthplace of Tadej Pogacar. Shortly thereafter, with 52 kilometers to go, they’ll enter a local circuit. The finish line in Sencur will be crossed for the first time after 86 kilometers, and that’s when things will really get exciting.

The Mozjanca climb is tough: and must be conquered several times. 2.1 kilometers at a 10.4 percent gradient! It’s a steady climb, with peaks of up to 12 percent and the flattest sections at 9 percent. Further along the loop, there are a few more elevation gains before the final 8 kilometers on flatter roads lead to the finish in Sencur around 4:50 p.m.

Via Pogacar’s birthplace to the local loop

Passing through Kranj, Valburga and Kamnik, the riders arrived in Komenda, Tadej Pogacar’s birthplace. Shortly afterwards, they reached the local loop in Sencuk, with the Mozjanca climb acting as the decisive challenge, which had to be conquered twice: a 2.1-kilometre climb at 10.4 per cent, reminiscent of the Mur de Huy!

With 37 kilometres to go, we tackled it for the first time, with the Dutch team immediately taking control. Karlijn Swinkels launched Puck Pieterse and Vollering, who remained at the front with the strongest riders. This group also included Niewiadoma, Longo Borghini, Reusser, Berthet and Niedermaier, although the cooperation wasn’t great.

Riders were therefore closing the gap from behind, two of whom immediately went on the attack: Franziska Koch and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. At the same time, Markus and Swinkels were also there to minimise the gap once more ahead of the final climb up Mozjanca.

A clever move by De Vries in support of Vollering

Immediately afterwards, there was another attack, this time from Liane Lippert of Germany and the Swiss rider Noemi Ruëgg. Femke de Vries followed on behalf of the Netherlands and Vollering, not, of course, to join the breakaway. From that position, the Visma rider dropped back slightly to provide Vollering with support.

It was then Pieterse’s turn to lead out, which she did superbly. Vollering needed just one surge to break away, as Niewiadoma was unable to get past Pieterse with 15 kilometres to go.

Behind them came the danger of Reusser, who rejoined the pursuing group on the descent. Pieterse's presence there was worth its weight in gold—literally and figuratively—for she was able to slow the Swiss steam train down somewhat.

1. Demi Vollering

2. Puck Pieterse

3. Marlen Reusser