A kind of road race developed on the fast and unspectacular course in St. Wendel. Eight riders lead the race, the Norwegian Sondre Kristiansen catches up on the penultimate lap and then immediately tries to escape at the start of the last lap. Bart de Vocht from Belgium reacted by chasing past from the last position of the group on the tartan track with a run-up, while the rest tacticked. But then the battle for the title is on. The gap is closed on the asphalt climb and Michiel van der Heijden (NED) attacks. Jordan Sarrou follows and de Vocht sits alone in third position. The medal ranks are now decided. In the battle for gold and silver, Sarrou manages to create a small gap on a forest climb, which van der Heijden is unable to close. "It was a difficult race. I was a bit afraid at the beginning of the last lap that it would be too tactical. But when I was alone with Michiel, I regained my confidence," explained Jordan Sarrou.

No Swiss in the front ranks
Andrin Beeli is on his way to becoming the best Swiss rider when a competitor rides him off his bike on the last lap. He has to put the chain back on and so loses the chance of a place in the top 20. He finishes 26th. Lars Forster has already abandoned the race. He was in 13th place when he suffered stomach cramps. Florian Chenaux got off to a bad start, but then rode well to the front. "The last two laps were really fast again," commented national coach Bruno Diethelm on Chenaux's performance.

Andri Frischknecht only arrived the evening before due to exams and retired from the race in 47th place. He was simply empty, says Frischknecht, who was eighth in Albstadt a week ago.

Ranking list European Championships 2014, St. Wendel/GER, U23 men: