Pogačar wins European Championships road race after solo break

Tadej Pogačar extended a remarkable run of form on Sunday by winning the elite men's road race at the European Championships in Guilherand-Granges, France, converting a long solo move into victory on a demanding 202-kilometre course. The Slovenian attacked with roughly 75 kilometres to go on the hilly finishing circuit in the Drôme-Ardèche region and rode alone to the finish in 4 hours 59 minutes 29 seconds, crossing the line 31 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel. Nineteen-year-old Paul Seixas of France took bronze, 3 minutes 41 seconds behind the winner.

Pogačar launched his decisive move on a climb that featured repeatedly on the finishing laps and quickly opened a gap on his pursuers. Evenepoel led the chase group that contained Seixas, Italy's Christian Scaroni and Spain's Juan Ayuso, but the Belgian could not close down the winner. Pogačar told reporters he had to push "really, really hard" and credited Evenepoel's persistence in the chase. French coach Thomas Voeckler described Seixas's podium as "massive," urging patience as the young rider develops.

The race underscored Pogačar's dominant season. He added the European title to the world road title he claimed a week earlier...