Jarno Widar turned disappointment into victory on Saturday,
claiming the Under-23 European Championship road race just a week after a
difficult day at the Worlds only a week ago. On a brutal 136-kilometre course
through Drôme-Ardèche, the Belgian attacked on the final climb and soloed to
the line in Guilherand-Granges, sealing a performance that combined individual
brilliance with collective strength.
“As a team, we tried to make the race as tough as possible
for the others. And I think we succeeded,” Widar said afterwards on the Lotto
website. “I'm very happy that I was finally able to finish off all the team's
hard work.”
The race featured multiple ascents of the Côte de
Saint-Romain-de-Lerps (7 km at 7%) and the short but punishing Val d’Enfer (1.6
km at 9.8%). From a starting field of over 130 riders, the attritional profile
quickly whittled down the peloton. Belgium arrived with a clear plan to ride
offensively, yet with enough flexibility to adapt as the race unfolded. Jasper
Schoofs featured in a chasing move that forced rivals to burn matches, while
Matisse Van Kerckhove and Matteo Vanhuffel were kept in reserve, ready to
respond if the script changed.
National coach Serge Pauwels had stressed that adaptability
was key, and Widar delivered at the decisive moment. On the last ascent, he
surged clear at the base, leaving his rivals behind. Over the top he maintained
the gap, then descended cleanly on the technical run-in, committing to every
corner until the line.
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“I couldn't believe my eyes when I crossed the finish line
alone,” Widar said about his superb performance. “This victory feels like so
much more than just a consolation prize. I beat the best riders in the U23
category, because the world champion was also there,” he added, in reference to
the rainbow jersey of Lorenzo Finn.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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