Sonny Colbrelli outwits Remco Evenepoel to become European men's road race champion
The Italian refused to let the Belgian out of sight and expectedly beat him in the finishing sprint
![Sonny Colbrelli](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8SmUutuUptTxhGjSBNRrNT-415-80.jpg)
Sonny Colbrelli spectacularly kept pace with Remco Evenepoel before out-sprinting him to win the men's European Road Race Championships.
On a fantastic and at times breathless day of racing in Trento, Colbrelli ensured a home victory by being one of only two others to bridge across to Evenepoel's late attack, the Italian then refusing to be distanced by the Belgian in the hillier sections of the parcous and then sprinting to a memorable victory.
It continues a sensational, career-defining season for Colbrelli, the Bahrain-Victorious rider winning for the sixth time in 2021 and having also impressed in the high mountains at the Tour de France.
In beating a clearly frustrated Evenepoel, the current Italian champion, 31, scored the most significant triumph of his career and maintained Italy's remarkable run in the championships.
The race only became open to professionals in 2016, and Italy have now won each of the last four editions with four different riders.
For Evenepoel, it represented disappointment after his stunning performance, the 21-year-old not content with silver medal. Benoît Cosnefroy of France was happier with his bronze.
How it happened
The final event of the 2021 European Championships was bathed in late summer sun in Trento, Italy.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
A 179km race, the riders had to ascend three mountain passes in the opening 70 kilometres before entering the 13km finishing circuit for eight laps, each loop including the ascent of the 3.4km Povo climb, a steady climb that had a maximum gradient of nine percent. Overall, riders had to ascend almost 3,500 metres of elevation.
A breakaway of four went clear almost immediately, containing Franck Bonnamour (France), Aurelien Paret-Peintre (France), Antonio Jesús Soto (Spain) and Harm Vanhoucke (Belgium).
The quartet, however, were never allowed a sufficient advantage and in contrast to tradition, the peloton exploded into action before joining the final circuit, Romain Bardet of France attacking 116km from the line.
Bardet’s move forced a select group of elite riders at the head of the race, but the race remained chaotic. 30km later, Victor Campenaerts from Belgium put in a ferocious dig that spawned a new leading group of four.
The peloton once again regrouped but there was no calmness, former champion Matteo Trentin the next to force his move, the Italian joined by Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar, Campenaerts, Mark Padun and Markus Hoelgaard.
With five laps remaining, the lead of five swelled to 10, Evenepoel, Cosnefroy, Colbrelli, Marc Hirschi, Pavel Sivakov and Ben Hermans showing their face at the front.
An unfortunate mechanical saw Campenaerts drop into the chasing group, almost a minute in arrears, but Evenepoel was still aided by his national team-mate Hermans.
Evenepoel fumed at his inability to better Colbrelli
Twenty-two kilometres from the line, and on the penultimate climb of the Povo, Russia’s Sivakov tried his fortune, and a few seconds after Evenepoel counter-attacked expertly, bringing with him Cosnefroy and Colbrelli.
Pogačar had tried to bridge across but was unable to, and within minutes it became clear that the day’s winner would come from the trio.
Cosnefroy, though, couldn’t keep pace and dropped into no-man’s land behind, while Colbrelli refused to do a turn on the front, the Italian knowing that his best chance of victory was beating Evenepoel in a sprint.
Colbrelli spectacularly kept pace with the Belgian up the final ascent and as the duo began the final 10 kilometres, Evenepoel remonstrated with his fellow escapee for refusing to work on the front.
At 6km, Colbrelli did finally start to stick his face in the wind, and having kept Evenepoel on a leash, with 600m to go, he tightened his shoes and allowed Evenepoel to lead onto the cobbles.
Colbrelli came on the outside to pass Evenepoel as the rounded the final corner and despite the young Belgian’s best efforts, Colbrelli eased to victory. Cosnefroy held onto finish third and take the bronze medal.
Result: Men's European Road Race Championships: Trento > Trento, 179km
1. Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) in 4-19.45
2. Remco Evenepoel (Bel), at same time
3. Benoît Cosnefroy (Fra), at 1-30
4. Matteo Trentin (Ita), at 1-43
5. Tadej Pogačar (Slo)
6. Marc Hirschi (Swi)
7. Markus Hoelgaard (Nor), all at same time
8. Ben Hermans (Bel), at 1-45
9. Pavel Sivakov (Rus), at 1-49
10. Victor Campenaerts (Bel), at 5-41
Thank you for reading 20 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
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I'm definitely pushing over 2,500 watts' - Meet the most powerful cyclists in the GB Olympics squad
Move over track sprinters, there are stronger legs in town
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Remco Evenepoel: No one should doubt me anymore
The Tour de France's third-placed finisher suggests that he will have to reduce his time trial work if he is to beat Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Remco Evenepoel on Tadej Pogačar: He's not the same as us
Belgian was unable to follow Tadej Pogačar's attack on the climb to Isola 2000 on Friday
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar conquers Isola 2000 to win Tour de France stage 19 and extend his overall lead
Slovenian now leads race by more than five minutes going into the final two stages
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
'Mission accomplished': Remco Evenepoel cements Tour de France podium spot
The Soudal Quick-Step rider says his "main goal" is not to take time on Jonas Vingegaard or Tadej Pogačar, despite dropping the pair on Wednesday
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Serene and calm' Remco Evenepoel matures into Tour de France GC rider
Belgian Soudal Quick-Step rider lost time on stage 11, but takes confidence from a solid display in the Massif Central
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Sometimes you need balls to race': Remco Evenepoel annoyed by Jonas Vingegaard's Tour de France tactics
"Maybe Jonas didn’t have them today," Evenepoel calls for more aggressive riding from two-time champion after enthralling stage on the gravel around Troyes
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It could make you lose the Tour' - Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel look ahead to gravel stage at Tour de France
GC riders expecting chaotic stage on Sunday, with potential for time losses
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'To only lose 25 seconds is a good day for me' - Jonas Vingegaard defiant after Tour de France time trial
Defending champion loses 25 seconds to race leader Tadej Pogačar on stage seven
By Tom Thewlis Published