Edoardo Affini crowned as European time trial champion
Through the streets of Heusden-Zolder towards Hasselt, Edoardo Affini became the European time trial champion. In a thrilling battle, he was faster than Swiss rider Stefan Küng and compatriot Mattia Cattane.
On the lightning-fast course between Heusden-Zolder and Hasselt, the Elite Men prepared themselves for their European championship. An intensely exciting race awaited. At the first intermediate point, it was top favourite Stefan Küng who set the first blistering time. The two-time European time trial champion, Victor Campenaerts, must already concede 18 seconds to the Swiss rider. At the second intermediate point, it was Italian Edoardo Affini who set the most recent fastest time with 22'02". Küng continued at the same pace towards the second intermediate point, but he did have to concede a second to the Italian. Affini kept up his solid pace all the way to the finish and eventually crossed the finishing line in 35'15". In the final straight, Küng tried to make up his deficit on the Italian. He eventually finished 9 seconds behind Affini's time and had to be satisfied with silver. Mattia Cattaneo added to the Italian celebration by grabbing the bronze medal.