Italy captures second European title in the Elite Team Time Trial Mixed Relay

On the roads between Heusden-Zolder and Hasselt, nine cycling nations competed for the European title in the Elite Team Time Trial Mixed Relay. The Italian team rode in commanding style to win their second European title, with Germany and Belgium taking the other places on the podium.

It was the team from Bulgaria that was first to go in the Time Trial Mixed Relay in Heusden-Zolder. We had to wait for Belgium’s turn to register the first top time. Theuns, Vercouillie and Vandenbranden rode to the changeover zone in a time of 32'16". It was then the turn of the three Belgian women to take over the figurative baton from their male teammates. Castrique, Norbert-Riberolle and Vandenbulcke eventually crossed the finishing line in a time of 1:03'16".

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The leading position of the Belgium team was short-lived. Led by the newly crowned European time trial champion, Edoardo Affini, the Italian men clocked the blistering time of 31'21" at the changeover point. After their stint, it was up to the Italian women to get the job done in the final 24 kilometres. With a powerful final offensive, they finished in Hasselt in a time of 1:01'43".

The three German men were the last to roll off the start podium on the Velodrome of Zolder. It was soon apparent that Germany would be Italy's biggest challenger. The German trio Politt, Steimle and Walscheid rode the 28.3 km to the changeover zone in a time of 32'10", nearly 50 seconds behind the Italian benchmark time. This left the German women with the daunting task of keeping Italy from the gold medal. The German team reached cruising speed and made up a considerable amount of the deficit, but ultimately ended up 17 seconds short of the Italian record time. Thus Italy claimed its second European title in the Elite Team Time Trial Mixed Relay. The silver went to Germany and after a thrilling battle with Poland, the bronze went to Belgium.