Anniina Ahtosalo storms to European title on rain-soaked course

On a course from Heusden-Zolder to Hasselt, the U23 Women were looking for a successor to Zoe Backstedt. After 31.2km, it was Finland's Anniina Ahtosalo who took the crown as the new European time trial champion. Marie Schreiber won silver and the bronze went to Germany's Antonia Niedermaier.

Under clear skies, the first rider rolled off the starting podium in Heusden-Zolder at 11:50. On the road to Hasselt, it did not remain dry and a heavy downpour swept over the course. In the pouring rain, the first true benchmark time was set by Luxembourg's Marie Schreiber. She rode from Heusden-Zolder to Hasselt in a time of 41'32". For a long time, it seemed that she would be taking the European gold, but the Fin Anniina Ahtosalo had other ideas. With a time of 40'54", she clocked the fastest time among the U23 Women. The Fin, in her European champion’s jersey, was joined on the podium by Marie Schreiber and the German Antonia Niedermaier.