European Cycling Championships 2026: Elite Time Trial Schedule

Following a weekend of captivating road races that crowned Demi Vollering and Remco Evenepoel as victors—a weekend not without its share of controversy, particularly regarding a photo-finish decision—the focus now shifts to the individual time trials at the UEC European Road Championships in Slovenia.

European Road Championships 2026: Elite Time Trial Event Details

Both the elite women's and men's time trials are scheduled for Wednesday, October 7. Competitors will tackle a demanding 22.1-kilometer circuit, which starts and finishes in Šenčur, approximately 20 kilometers north of Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana. This is the same loop utilized for the weekend's road races. Those familiar with the previous races will recall that this course is far from flat, featuring a notable climb at its midpoint, ensuring a true test of endurance and power rather than a purely flat-out sprint.

In the women's category, which commences at 14:30 CET, Swiss cycling sensation Marlen Reusser, the current world champion, is widely considered the favorite. However, she is expected to face stiff competition from Demi Vollering and Franziska Koch, who are both eager to challenge for the title. The men's event, set to begin at 16:15 CET, appears to be a more open contest. Local hero Primož Roglič of Slovenia, along with Switzerland's Stefan Küng and Sweden's Jakob Söderqvist, are all strong contenders with a realistic chance of clinching victory. While Söderqvist notably placed fifth in the recent World Championships time trial in Montréal, it is important to remember that the Montréal course was significantly flatter, suggesting that the Slovenian terrain will favor different strengths.

Elite Women's Time Trial Start Times (All times CET):

• 14:30 Eleftheria Giachou (Gre)
• 14:31 Anja Perović (Srb)
• 14:32 Alina Abramenka (Blr)
• 14:33 Bríet Kristý Gunnarsdóttir (Isl)
• 14:34 Valeriya Kononenko (Ukr)
• 14:35 Beatriz Roxo (Por)
• 14:36 Gergana Stoyanova (Bul)
• 14:37 Varvara Fasoi (Gre)
• 14:38 Nina Berton (Lux)
• 14:39 Sandrine Tas (Ned)
• 14:40 Lauren Dickson (Gbr)
• 14:41 Marie Schreiber (Lux)
• 14:42 Yuliia Biriukova (Ukr)
• 14:43 Steffi Häberlin (Sui)
• 14:44 Alessia Vigilia (Ita)
• 14:45 Nika Bobnar (Slo)
• 14:46 Juliette Berthet (Fra)
• 14:47 Lieke Nooijen (Ned)
• 14:48 Lotte Claes (Bel)
• 14:49 Dominika Włodarczyk (Pol)
• 14:50 Cédrine Kerbaol (Fra)
• 14:51 Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita)
• 14:52 Franziska Koch (Ger)
• 14:53 Demi Vollering (Ned)
• 14:54 Marlen Reusser (Sui)

Elite Men's Time Trial Start Times (All times CET):

• 16:15 Albion Kastrati (Kos)
• 16:16 Nofal Nuriyev (Aze)
• 16:17 Samet Bulut (Tur)
• 16:18 Kristinn Jónsson (Isl)
• 16:19 Ghennadii Morgun (Mol)
• 16:20 Borislav Palashev (Bul)
• 16:21 Catalin Buta (Rou)
• 16:22 Dávid Kaško (Svk)
• 16:23 Axel Källberg (Swe)
• 16:24 Miloš Lazarević (Srb)
• 16:25 Heorhii Antonenko (Ukr)
• 16:26 Tiago Antunes (Por)
• 16:27 Mathieu Kockelmann (Ger)
• 16:28 Blerton Nuha (Kos)
• 16:29 Andreas Miltiadis (Cyp)
• 16:30 Miguel Heidemann (Ger)
• 16:31 Aivaras Mikutis (Ltu)
• 16:32 Rainer Kepplinger (Aut)
• 16:33 Marco Frigo (Ita)
• 16:34 Sander De Pestel (Bel)
• 16:35 Burak Abay (Tur)
• 16:36 Filip Maciejuk (Pol)
• 16:37 Sjoerd Bax (Ned)
• 16:38 János Pelikán (Hun)
• 16:39 Alex Kirsch (Lux)
• 16:40 Maxime Decomble (Fra)
• 16:41 Aleksandr Vlasov (Rus)
• 16:42 Felix Großschartner (Aut)
• 16:43 Mathias Vacek (Cze)
• 16:44 Ilan Van Wilder (Bel)
• 16:45 Marco Brenner (Ger)
• 16:46 Mauro Schmid (Sui)
• 16:47 Bruno Armirail (Fra)
• 16:48 Michał Kwiatkowski (Pol)
• 16:49 Nelson Oliveira (Por)
• 16:50 Jan Tratnik (Slo)
• 16:51 Mattia Cattaneo (Ita)
• 16:52 Iván Romeo (Spa)
• 16:53 Mikkel Bjerg (Den)
• 16:54 Primož Roglič (Slo)
• 16:55 Callum Thornley (Gbr)
• 16:56 Kasper Asgreen (Den)
• 16:57 Stefan Küng (Sui)
• 16:58 Jakob Söderqvist (Swe)

The transition from the frenetic energy of road races to the solitary battle against the clock in time trials always brings a unique flavor to cycling championships. While road races often deliver dramatic sprints and tactical maneuvers, time trials are a pure measure of an athlete's power, precision, and mental fortitude. The challenging terrain in Šenčur promises an exciting contest, especially in the men's race where several strong riders will vie for supremacy. It will be fascinating to observe how different specialists adapt their strategies to this undulating course, and whether the home advantage can propel Primož Roglič to a memorable victory.