'It's really a golden year' - Vollering caps stunning run with second straight European title

Demi Vollering defended her European road title in Šenčur, going clear with 14.6 kilometres remaining and riding alone to the finish in her first race as world champion.

Pieterse sprinted for silver after Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney crashed inside the final kilometre, completing a Dutch one-two seven days after the pair worked together to deliver the rainbow jersey in Montréal.

It is the Netherlands' tenth win in eleven editions of the women's elite European road race.

"That's crazy, and also a beautiful second place for Puck today. I think we can be very proud of her effort again," Vollering said in her post-race interview.

The 130-kilometre route from Ljubljana was flat for its opening 80 kilometres before two finishing circuits took the race over the Možjanca climb twice. The Dutch set the pace on the second ascent through Femke de Vries and Pieterse, reducing the front group to five, and when Pieterse took over from De Vries with 15.3 kilometres to go, Elisa Longo Borghini and Antonia Niedermaier were dropped.

Vollering cannot stop winning in 2026, as basically everything she touches turns to gold.

"It's really a golden year, and it's sad it's already over. Only one more race at the TT and then it's off season already," she said. "But I cannot wait to race next year, all year in this jersey, and hopefully have a good season again."

Asked what remains to chase, she pointed past the medals.

"Of course I dream of a lot. I just really love winning and it never gets boring for me. But it's not only the winning, it's improving yourself and getting better every day, working on yourself every day and seeing what's still possible for the future. That's what I love most about this job."

The approach that produced both titles rests on a squad willing to subordinate itself. Lorena Wiebes contacted coach Laurens ten Dam herself to offer to ride in support, having looked at the course and concluded it would not suit her. Pieterse chose Slovenia over a Mountain Bike World Cup round in Lake Placid.

The elite women's time trial takes place on Wednesday in Šenčur over 21.9 kilometres.