Results U23 Men's European Championship Road Race | Jarno Widar bounces back from Kigali disappointment to take thrilling win ahead of Decomble

Belgium's Jarno Widar has bounced back from disappointment in Kigali and has taken victory in the U23 men's road race at the 2025 European Championships, following a thrilling conclusion to the action this Saturday lunchtime, holding off the chase of Maxime Decomble.

From a starting field of 133 riders, the peloton quickly thinned out across the rolling 136-kilometre course, which 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%).

The first major move came from a two-man break featuring Mil Morang (Luxembourg) and Anders Vos Sorensen (Denmark), both from teams without outright favourites but looking to race proactively. Morang, who won the mountains classification at the recent Tour of Luxembourg, helped establish a gap of around 30 seconds before the pair were reeled in.

The early move forced some work from the peloton, but there was no panic. Belgium and France took responsibility for setting the pace, keeping things under control during the first two large loops of the course.

Belgium rode with a clear plan, built around Jarno Widar, though the team didn’t hesitate to put other names forward. Jasper Schoofs briefly featured in a chase group trying to bridge to the leaders, while Matisse Van Kerckhove and Matteo Vanhuffel were kept in reserve. National coach Serge Pauwels had emphasised flexibility before the race, aware that the repeated climbs could suit several riders.

Widar, who had a challenging ride at the recent U23 World Championships in Kigali, remained protected throughout the opening phases, as the Belgians looked to keep him well-positioned for the final ascent of the Val d’Enfer.

As expected, the repeated climbs began to take a toll. The field was reduced to around 80 riders by the midway point, and further whittled down to 49 on the second major circuit. Notably, several riders with top-level experience — including Giro U23 stage winner Filippo Agostinacchio, Belgian Kasper Borremans, and Czech rider Pavel Sumpik — were dropped before the final lap.

A group of twelve chasers, including Vanhuffel and Van Kerckhove, briefly tried to bridge across to the leaders, riding at around 35 seconds back, before the race broke apart for good. Heading into the final 17-kilometre circuit — including a last ascent of the decisive Val d’Enfer, cresting just six kilometres from the finish — ten riders remained in contention for the European title.

Ireland’s Liam O’Brien launched a brave solo move just before the final climb, building a small gap of seven seconds over a high-calibre chase group that included Widar, Maxime Decomble (France), world champion Lorenzo Finn (Italy), Alexy Loulergue (France), Henning Bock (Germany), Pepijn Zomermaand (Netherlands), Antonio Morgado Lopes (Portugal), and Spanish duo Igor Alvarez and Albert Pericas.

With around 11 kilometres to go, the chasing group swelled slightly as a second wave — including both Belgian and French trios — made contact. Vanhuffel and Van Kerckhove were still present and continued to work for Widar on the flat run-in to the final climb. Despite that support, O’Brien managed to increase his lead as the bunch briefly hesitated, disappearing from sight just before the base of the Val d’Enfer. The Irish rider held a strong tempo onto the final ascent, hoping to resist the expected charge from behind.

At the base of the final climb, Widar attacked. Showing no hesitation, the Belgian surged past the chasers and quickly caught and dropped O’Brien on the steepest section of the climb. Only Alvarez and Decomble were able to respond, though both lost ground as Widar powered clear.

By the summit, Widar held a lead of around ten seconds over Decomble, who had shaken off Alvarez in pursuit. The Frenchman, a strong time trialist who took bronze at the recent U23 World Championships against the clock, refused to concede easily on the run-in.

The final five kilometres offered no time to relax. Although largely downhill, the twisting descent included sharp rollers and speed bumps — a test of nerve as much as legs. Widar stayed committed, attacking the corners and staying low in the drops. He regularly looked over his shoulder, wary of Decomble’s chase, but the Frenchman appeared unable to close the gap. With three kilometres remaining, Widar was on flat roads again, effectively in a solo time trial to the finish.

Despite the technical nature of the descent, Widar held his speed and composure. The gap, while never completely secure, remained intact as the finish line approached and it was enough to secure a brilliant win for the Belgian.