Slovenian cycling sensation Tadej Pogacar continued his reign of dominance, conquering the European Road Race Championship in Guilherand-Granges, France, with a breathtaking 75-kilometer solo attack that left the competition trailing. Crossing the finish line 31 seconds ahead of Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, Pogacar added yet another prestigious title to an already historic 2025 season that includes the world championship and his fourth Tour de France triumph.
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The French crowd roared as Pogacar, wearing the rainbow jersey of world champion, surged ahead on the narrow, twisting roads of the Ardeche region. The 202-kilometer race was expected to be a fierce contest among cycling’s elite, with Pogacar, Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard all lining up. However, as the course unfolded, it turned into another masterclass from the Slovenian star.
Pogacar made his move on one of the race’s toughest climbs after realizing his teammates were beginning to fade. “I saw I was losing teammates, it wasn’t the plan to go from there, but it had to be there. It was the hardest hill and that was my advantage,” Pogacar explained after the race, smiling as he added another title to his growing legacy.
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, the Olympic champion and time-trial specialist, mounted a spirited chase. With French teenager Paul Seixas alongside him, Evenepoel worked tirelessly to close the gap. Yet Pogacar’s lead only grew, and his relentless pace left little room for hope among his pursuers. Spain’s Juan Ayuso and Italy’s Christian Scaroni briefly joined the chase group, but none could match the Slovenian’s power on the climbs.
As Pogacar extended his lead past the one-minute mark, Evenepoel accelerated in a final solo bid to catch him. Though his determination was unquestionable, he had to settle for second place once again, finishing just as he had at the world championships a week earlier. “Second place again,” Evenepoel said ruefully. “It’s always the same at the championships. The others didn’t want to work with me. It’s frustrating, but that’s team orders—you just have to accept it.”
Evenepoel’s achievements this year remain remarkable nonetheless, having already claimed both the European and world time trial titles, as well as double gold at the Paris Olympic Games. Still, Pogacar’s dominance in road racing continues to set him apart.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Paul Seixas delighted the home crowd with a surprise bronze medal finish. The young Frenchman outpaced Italy’s Scaroni in the final kilometers, greeted by thunderous applause from local fans. France’s team coach Thomas Voeckler praised Seixas for his composure and raw potential. “There’s a lot of excitement around him, and it’s understandable. What he just did was massive. Let him grow, and we’ll see how far he can go,” Voeckler said proudly.
Seixas’ bronze capped a memorable performance for France, especially considering he was the youngest rider in the men’s field—just a week after finishing 13th at the world championships in Kigali. His rise marks the arrival of a promising new talent in European cycling.
The championship weekend also saw Dutch rider Demi Vollering claim victory in the women’s road race on Saturday. Her solo attack in the final stretch sealed a convincing win, echoing Pogacar’s dominance and reinforcing her status among the sport’s top female athletes.
As Pogacar raised his arms in triumph, it became clear that 2025 will be remembered as his defining year. With world, European, and Tour de France titles all under his belt, the Slovenian superstar has not just conquered races—he has redefined modern cycling excellence.
