UEC Road European Championships men’s road race recap - Tadej Pogacar rides 75 kilometres solo to beat Remco Evenepoel, Paul Seixas takes bronze

UEC Road European Championships

Men | 05.10.2025

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16:29

POGACAR TAKES EUROPEAN TITLE WITH DOMINANT SHOW

Tadej Pogacar produced a 75-kilometre solo attack as he clinched the UEC Road European Championships men’s road race with another dominant display.

Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) was unable to follow his rival’s attack once again and added another silver road race medal to match his world championship one.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Paul Seixas provided a perfect late attack to give France a home medal with bronze.

All his rivals predicted that Pogacar would attack with 70 kilometres remaining on the third ascent of Côte de Saint-Romain-de-Lerps and so it proved.

Earlier, with over 100 kilometres remaining Belgium forced the pace resulting in Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark) being dropped and Pogacar eventually isolated.

The world champion waited until the 6.7-kilometre long Cote de Saint-Romain-de-Lerps with sections of 12% gradient and powered clear.

Evenepoel was joined by Seixas, Christian Scaroni (Italy) and Juan Ayuso (Spain) as the world champion pulled out his winning margin.

Belgian rider Evenepoel regrouped and powered away from the remaining chasers and reduced Pogacar’s gap to one minute.

However, the Slovenian was in control and Evenepoel had to settle for silver.

Behind, Seixas launched a blistering attack on the final climb to distance both Ayuso and then Scaroni for third.

'Phenomenon' Pogacar dominates again to win European Championship

Video credit: TNT Sports

16:18

‘I HAD TO PUSH REALLY HARD,’ SAID POGACAR

Tadej Pogacar said that he was forced to push until the finish to beat a resurgent Remco Evenepoel.

"I find myself in the front," he told TNT Sports

"I tried to keep a good gap of around one minute, I know it’s a comfortable gap. I don’t think it was super dominant as Remco (Evenepoel) was really good and always chasing me.

"I couldn’t give up until the finish-line and had to push really hard. I’m happy it’s over and another title.

"We knew that the race would be the hardest on the third climb, I saw there was four or five Belgians, and I was alone for the team.

"It was better to be on the attack than with too many guys who can attack you."

16:10

‘I TRIED TO HELP REMCO,’ SAID AYUSO

Juan Ayuso (Spain) said that he tried to help Remco Evenepoel battle against his former UAE team-mate Tadej Pogacar.

Talking to TNT Sports he said: "We could see him (Pogacar), but at first there was quite low co-operation with France and Italy, I don’t know why.

"They decided not to pull in the group and to pull in the group behind, for me that made no sense.

"I tried to help Remco (Evenepoel) to fight for the win, but I was also on the limit. Remco was also strongest in the group and went ahead."

Image credit: Getty Images

16:05

TOP FIVE FINISHERS

Here are the top five finishers in this year’s elite men’s road race at the UEC Road Championships.

1 Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia)
2 Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) +0’31"
3 Paul Seixas (France) +3’41"
4 Christian Scaroni (Italy) +4’04"
5 Toms Skujiņš (Latvia) +4’16"

16:01

SKUJINS FINISHES FIFTH

Another incredible performance for Latvian rider Toms Skujiņš who managed to bridge across to Ayuso to finish fifth and Scaroni was fourth.

Skujiņš also finished fifth in the world championships and the Lidl-Trek rider continued his consistent performances on the brutal French course.

15:52

POGACAR WINS

A clinch of the fist for Pogacar as he rides towards victory and a clear margin over Pogacar.

The Slovenian has spent 75 kilometres solo. Evenepoel finishes runner-up to Pogacar once again and is denied the European jersey. Seixas has ridden the battle for bronze perfectly and seals a medal for the home nation. A big smile is on th face of the teenager as he celebrates the result

Image credit: Getty Images

15:51

3KM TO GO: TEENAGER CLEAR FOR BRONZE

The French fans are telling Scaroni to slow down as Seixas is slowly pulling away from his rival for bronze.

The 19-year-old has a handful of seconds but has three kilometres into a headwind to hold on.

15:49

4KM TO GO: SEIXAS PUTS EVERYTHING INTO ATTACK

The Frenchman is riding with his heart as he puts down multiple attacks in a bid to drop Scaroni. However, the Italian digs deep and manages to claw him back again and again.

The home fans are jubilant as they cheer on their home rider. Seixas has a margin of five metres over the top of the climb.

15:46

5KM TO GO: AYUSO IN TROUBLE

Pogacar is comfortable as he charges up Côte de Val d'Enfer for the final time. A mass of cheering for both the world champion and a valiant Evenepoel as they crest the first summit of the climb.

Evenepoel is still 1’02" behind. In the battle for third Seixas manages to drop Ayuso but still has Scaroni with him.

15:41

7KM TO GO: TALK OVER POGACAR’S ‘BLACK BIKE’

The world champion is on a black Colnago this afternoon and not his rainbow stiped bike. TNT pundit John Mould believes that the bike selection is due to the lower weight of the black bike.

15:38

10KM TO GO: POGACAR INCREASES ADVANTAGE

Despite initially losing time to a determined Evenepoel, over the last 10 kilometres nothing has separated the Belgian and Pogacar.

With one ascent of the Côte de Val d'Enfer remaining Pogacar has an advantage of 1’10" over his rival.

The bronze medal chasing group are 3’26" behind.

15:33

13KM TO GO: VIDEO - FANS STICK FLYER TO POGACAR

Watch the bizarre moment fans stuck flyers on Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar during the men's road race at the European Championships.

‘It’s just stupid’ – Watch as fans stick flyers on Pogacar during men's road race

Video credit: TNT Sports

15:31

15KM TO GO: POGACAR GIVES CHASING GROUP A WAVE

The world champion must be feeling good. As he exits the finishing town he gives a wave to the three riders competing for third.

15:29

17KM TO GO: ONE LAP REMAINING

Pogacar takes the bell and has 17 kilometres remaining to be crowned European champion. Evenepoel is not completely out of this at 1’02" behind but it is looking increasingly unlikely that he can mount a late challenge.

The real battle is behind for bronze and the French public will be cheering on Seixas.

Image credit: Getty Images

15:24

20KM TO GO: POGACAR HOLDS ON CLIMB

There is nothing to separate Pogacar and Evenepoel on the penultimate time up the Côte de Val d'Enfer and the world champion remains 1’09" ahead. With a 17-kilometre loop Evenepoel could still pull Pogacar back into the headwind.

Behind Seixas is putting his rivals for the bronze medal under severe pressure.

15:16

25KM TO GO: EVENEPOEL BACK WITHIN A MINUTE

The Belgium will still have hope after pulling the gap back to Pogacar to the minute mark. The Côte de Val d'Enfer now awaits and the gap at the top will be pivotal for Evenepoel who can’t afford to lose any further time.

Evenepoel is now a minute ahead of the three chasers behind him.

15:11

28KM TO GO: VOECKLER GIVES ADVICE TO SEXUS

French hero Thomas Voeckler leans out of the Frech team car to give Seixas some words of advice heading into the final 25 kilometres.

The advice from Voeckler is that it is not Seixas’ responsibility to chase Evenepoel down.

15:07

30KM TO GO: RACE FOR BRONZE ON

Evenepoel looks in a solid position in the silver medal position. The Belgian has an advantage of 30 seconds over Seixas, Scaroni and Ayuso who are all working well together.

There is another chasing group of 12 riders who are riding for sixth position 4’11" back.

15:01

38KM TO GO: EVENEPOEL GETS RID OF CHASERS

The Belgian is clearly the strongest in the chasing group and uses a small ramp over the summit of the Côte de Val d'Enfer to get rid of his companions.

Ayuso fails to hold onto the Belgian and then shouts at the other pair in frustration.

Evenepoel is 1"10 behind Pogacar with the chasing trio a further seven seconds back.

14:55

40KM TO GO: LEAFLET PUT ON POGACAR

Riders will be sick of seeing the Côte de Val d'Enfer today as they hit the slopes for a fourth of six times.

There are just 39 riders left in this race which exploded from the 100-kilometre mark. Pogacar is continuing to increase his leading margin to 1’12" and a spectator sticks a flyer to his back as he charges through the crowd. The speed of the Slovenian soon gets ride of the leaflet

Evenepoel fails to get rid of his chasing companions on the first section of the climb and shows his frustration.

‘It’s just stupid’ – Watch as fans stick flyers on Pogacar during men's road race

Video credit: TNT Sports

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