Filippo Ganna and Elisa Longo Borghini help Italy to claim mixed relay team time trial victory at European Championships 2021
The unusual discipline returned in Trento, as nations tried to prove their collective strength


The return of the mixed relay team time trial pitted some of the strongest cycling nations against each other, with Italy emerging victorious at the 2021 European Championships.
Led by powerhouses Filippo Ganna and Elisa Longo Borghini, the Italian TTT unit smashed the 44.8km-long course with a time of 51-59, beating the reigning champions Germanys to second place by 21 seconds.
The mixed relay is a relatively new discipline, introduced during the 2019 season, that only makes an appearance during the European and World Championships.
Despite its unique nature, which sees three male and three female riders male and female from each nation take on the course separately, the event often attracts some star names in the sport.
The course for the Trento 2021 European Championships was a pan flat route along the valley floor.
It was the Dutch team, consisting of Jos van Emden, Koen Bouwman, Bauke Mollema, Floortje Mackaij, Demi Vollering and Amy Pieters, who set an early benchmark time of 52-25, with an average speed of 51.2km/h.
But it was the Italian squad of Ganna, Alessandro De Marchi, Matteo Sobrero, Elisa Longo Borghini, Marta Cavalli and Elena Cecchini who came through to secure the victory, with an average speed of 51.7km/h.
Meanwhile Germany’s six-rider team - Justin Wolf, Miguel Heidemann, Max Walscheid, Mieke Kröger, Tanja Erath, and Corinna Lechner - went into second with a time of 52-20 (51.3km/h).
The European Championships continue on Thursday (September 9) with the men’s and women’s elite time trials, where Filippo Ganna is favourite to take victory as he continues to prepare for the World Championships TT later this month. The women’s TT is wide open however, as Annemiek van Vleuten and Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) are both absent.
European Championships 2021 mixed relay team time trial
1. Italy, in 51-59
2. Germany, at 21s
3. Netherlands, at 26s
4. France, at 1-28
5. Austria, at 3-24
6. Russia, at 3-35
7. Ukraine, at 3-35
9. Polan, at 3-53
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Best bicycle insurance, including what you need to know and how to compare
Wondering how to protect your pride and joy? Our helpful guide tells you all you need to know about bicycle insurance
By Hannah Bussey • Published
-
Five talking points from stage eleven of the Giro d’Italia 2022
The Cycling Weekly highlights package from the stage which finally saw an Italian win at the home race this year
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Ellen van Dijk solos to European Championships road race victory against all odds
The Dutchwoman held off a stellar chasing group after attacking from a late breakaway
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Why aren’t British riders competing in the Trento 2021 European Championships?
British Cycling made the decision not to compete in the European road event, here is why
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Stefan Küng shatters time of Filippo Ganna to become European time trial champion
Ganna looked to have the race wrapped up on the pan-flat course, until Küng hit the final straight
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Marlen Reusser powers into gold in elite women’s time trial at 2021 European Championships
The TT specialist put a chunk of time into her nearest rivals on the 22km course
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Peter Sagan will ride the European Championships in Trento
The three-time world champion has been training on both road and mountain bikes in the Pyrenees
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Strava stats reveal the power behind the European Time Trial Championships, including Lizzy Banks, Alex Dowsett and Victor Campenaerts
With the fate of the World Championships still uncertain and the Olympics postponed until next year, the 2020 European Time Trial Championships could be the best solo test of the season.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Lizzie Deignan, Alex Dowsett and Tom Pidcock headline British squad for European Championships
The British squad for the road European Championships has been confirmed, with Lizzie Deignan, Alex Dowsett and Tom Pidcock leading the charge.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Emily Nelson takes first gold medal for GB as Elia Viviani also claims title at 2019 UEC Track Championships
Emily Nelson took the first gold medal for the British team at the 2019 UEC European Track Championships, as Elia Viviani also took a title on the opening day of racing.
By Alex Ballinger • Published