Flags waving in the wind and a deafening roar of applause and trumpets to cheer on the athletes: this is how the Možjanca climb presents itself, the symbolic feature of the circuit at these Slovenian European Championships in Ljubljana and Šenčur. A massive crowd turnout that forced the organizers to close that stretch of road not only to motor traffic but even to bicycle passage. An unusual choice - bicycles trackside have always been a characteristic element on climbs at major events - but inevitable given the truly exceptional attendance.

Also participating in this great sporting celebration was the President of the Slovenian Republic Nataša Pirc Musar who is following the race from the car of the UEC President Enrico Della Casa.

Tadej Pogacar also made sure not to miss the occasion, and just moments ago, together with his girlfriend Urška Žigart, he greeted his friend and colleague Luka Mezgec on the final race of his career: the thirty-eight-year-old Slovenian was celebrated at the moment of his "organized retirement" by his family and many friends. A new adventure is already waiting for him: he will join the technical staff of Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe.