Profile & Route 2024 European Championships Men's Elite Road Race

On the 15th of September some of the world's best classics riders and sprinters will be in Belgium to fight for the European Championships. This is one of the most prestigious races of the year and is a race that hands out a special jersey. We take a look at it's profile.

1200 meters of climbing only in a 223-kilometer long route; these numbers certainly link up with the idea that a sprint could very well decide the race, despite the few difficulties. It is a race that takes place in Limburg; starting in Heusden-Zolder and ending in the city of Hasselt with a completely flat start and finale.

In the bulk of the route, organizers have inserted a few difficulties, that could make the race exciting. We will have three laps of a circuit that includes a few hills and cobbled sectors. Most notable are the two cobbled sectors Manshoven and Op de Kriezel. The first of which is 1.3 kilometers long and goes up to 6% in it's finale. It ends with 124, 91.5 and 59 kilometers to go. 

The second climb comes right after, only a few kilometers after. That one is a completely straight line sector which features a constant 3/4% gradient. It's not brutal, but it's hard enough to make an attack and create some gaps. Whether these can then be taken to the line is a different question however... This climb ends with 119.5, 87 and 54.5 kilometers to go. Over 1 hour of racing still left to go after finishing it for the final time.

In the circuit there are three other small hilltops after the sectors, they are 600 meters at 4.8%; 700 meters at 4.3% (and the third one we do not know, but it is a bit longer and less steep). Realistically however these are climbs that will be ridden very fast and it's hard to make a difference in them. There will be a small cobbled sector not far from the finish (Printhagendreef) but it is only 500 meters long and shouldn't be too important, coming with 25.5 kilometers to the finish.

Likely the race will be decided in a sprint in the city of Hasselt. The final kilometers are completely straightforward but in a not too wide road. There is nothing technical or meaningful to analyse; it will all be a matter of timing for the leadouts and it will be hard for small groups to hang on to the lead if we have a full-speed peloton on the move.