Sunday October 5 2025 - European Championships: Privas > Guilherand-Granges (202.5km)

Who will win the men's road race at the 2025 European Road Championships according to the computer? After several editions for sprinters (Merlier, Laporte, and Jakobsen are the last winners), the 2025 European Road Championships for men will take place in the Drôme-en-Arcèche region on a course dedicated to climbing and explosiveness. The race is over 200 kilometers long and includes over 3,300 meters of elevation gain. Immediately after the start, a longer climb will open up the race, followed by a relatively long flat phase. Early breakaways can organize themselves there, but the focus of the race is clearly on the local laps.

The finale features several challenging climbs: the most significant is a climb of almost seven kilometers at around 7% (Saint-Romain-de-Lerps), shortly followed by a steep wall (Val D'Enfer) of approximately 1.7 kilometers at over 9%. Both must be climbed three times, with the steep wall, in particular, potentially making a difference, as it's also included in the final circuit. The final circuit features a steep slope that offers opportunities for a late attack. After the final climb, there's a short descent followed by a relatively flat approach to the finish, allowing a small, exhausted group to sprint for the European title, but a solo finish remains a distinct possibility.

This course favors riders who can hold their own uphill and possess explosiveness, both on longer climbs and short, steep climbs. Riders with a strong combination of climbing skills, sprint legs for small groups, and tactical acumen have the best chance. Attackers and endurance-minded punchers will feel particularly at home here, while pure sprinters and heavy classics riders are likely to miss out on the prizes.

📺Sporza (13:30 u), Eurosport 1 (15:00 u)
⏰11:45 u
🏁17.00 u
⛅️Sunny, strong wind, 18 degrees