Swiss rider Mara Winter is the new continental road champion among U23 women. The 20-year-old Swiss athlete, who turned 20 in May, prevailed at the finish line in Šenčur after completing the 88 kilometers on the program, beating Dutch rider Nienke Vinke and world champion in the category Viktória Chladoňová who claimed bronze for Slovakia, ahead of fellow Dutch athlete Megan Arens. Two Italian riders finished in the top-10: Eleonora Ciabocco, who finished seventh, and Giada Silo, who crossed the finish line in ninth position.

Decisive for the final result was the action initiated by the strong pace set in the final lap by Megan Arens (Netherlands) and Mara Winter (Switzerland), to whose wheel world champion Viktória Chladoňová and Nienke Vinke also moved up, and by managing to resist the chase from the small group of immediate pursuers including Ciabocco and Silo, they contested the top four positions in a tight sprint.

THE RACE After a fairly calm start, the race became more lively thanks to Gaia Segato: the rider from Treviso, registered with Team Vini Fantini Bepink, took the initiative about fifty kilometers from the finish. After several kilometers ridden alone in the breakaway, the 22-year-old, coming off the world championship race in Montreal, was caught by the chasing group.

During the penultimate lap, Megan Arens (Netherlands) and Mara Winter (Switzerland) attacked in tandem and Swedish rider Stina Kagevi set off in pursuit. At the bell, the leading duo had a 57" advantage over the immediate pursuer and 1'04" over the group with the Italian riders. The situation changed again when the group caught up to Kagevi and shortly after, Chladoňová and Vinke counterattacked and, after making the junction, gave new impetus to the breakaway, managing to maintain a sufficient advantage to contest the victory, which rewarded Winter, already fourth at the Canadian World Championships.

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FINISHING ORDER.

1 40 WINTER Mara SUI WU23 Switzerland 02:26:48

2 6 VINKE Nienke NED WU23 Netherlands -

3 18 CHLADOŇOVÁ Viktória SVK WU23 Slovakia -

4 1 ARENS Megan NED WU23 Netherlands 4

5 20 CZAPLA Justyna GER WU23 Germany 24

6 4 REIJNHOUT Rosita NED WU23 Netherlands -

7 13 CIABOCCO Eleonora ITA WU23 Italy -

8 27 OSTIZ TACO Paula ESP WU23 Spain -

9 16 SILO Giada ITA WU23 Italy -

10 9 MOERMAN Tess BEL WU23 Belgium