The European Road Race Championship for elite men is being held today and Remco Evenepoel arrives with a clear objective: to fill the only gap remaining in his trophy cabinet. After the disappointing Montreal Worlds, the Belgian champion comes to the Slovenian capital with the calm and determination of someone who knows that a jersey can rewrite the narrative of an entire season.

The Belgian delegation will leave the DoubleTree by Hilton this morning, in the heart of the city, where it has been based for a week. Evenepoel landed Friday evening alongside Maxim Van Gils and Quinten Hermans: just enough time for a shower, a few words with the press, and then rest ahead of the course reconnaissance, which was done yesterday afternoon after the junior race.

«Racing a competition like this is never easy – Evenepoel admitted yesterday when discussing the Slovenian course - But I'm motivated to win. Just like I was last year, even though on that occasion someone else was stronger». The reference is to Tadej Pogacar, who this time is not among the starters; an absence that immediately puts the spotlight back on Evenepoel and his role as number one favorite.

The press questions return once again to the Montreal Worlds and the Belgian doesn't seek excuses: «I had a bad day, it was one of the few days this season when I performed really poorly. It's a shame it happened on Worlds day. I won't make a drama out of it». He explains that he felt the fatigue, that he told his teammates about it already in the early stages, and adds: «What needs to change for the Europeans is how I feel».

The calendar placement, with just a few days between Worlds and Europeans, has never convinced him but it hasn't been an obstacle: «Tuesday I struggled with jet lag, then the adjustment went well. I never thought about skipping the Europeans in favor of the Giro di Lombardia: if the course suits me, I want to be there. I like representing Belgium. It gives me great motivation when there's a jersey at stake. And it's the only jersey I haven't won yet».

From a technical standpoint, Evenepoel emphasizes how the Slovenian race is different from the Canadian one: a course with steeper climbs, a technical circuit and a shorter race — but not necessarily simpler. He recalls last year's edition, when few finished the race: «Shorter doesn't mean easier; I still expect a tough race. The final climb could become selective, but tactics on this circuit will be fundamental».

There are many notable absences besides the injured Pogacar, starting with Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel and Paul Seixas, which reshape the picture of rivals, but don't diminish the quality of the field: Evenepoel names Giulio Ciccone and Primoz Roglic as men to watch — with the Slovenian ready to race at home and cites the surprise of Mads Pedersen in Montreal. He doesn't underestimate the French: «Romain Grégoire could be ready to make a move». And he warns that with France you never know what can happen, suggesting possible surprise moves.

Tactically the responsibility will fall mainly on the Belgians: «Sander De Pestel is the ideal man to control the race until the local circuit — Evenepoel explains — his job will end there; he knows it too. After that we'll need to evaluate the strategy. But when the race gets going on a course like this, you don't stop anymore».

Impressive, in closing, is the calm with which Evenepoel addresses questions about his health and team atmosphere: «I'm feeling good and I'm not sick. There's a jersey at stake, so I'm always motivated».

If today Remco Evenepoel were to wear the European champion's jersey, the dark page of Montreal would remain an isolated episode, transformed into an anecdote of an otherwise perfect season.