On and off - this is roughly how the race tactics of U23 world champion Loana Lecomte can be described. The Frenchwoman starts as the clear favorite. Only the Austrian Laura Stigger could pose a threat to her. But it doesn't come to that, as Stigger is unable to keep up and is in second place, albeit with a considerable gap. A little later, the Italian Marika Tovo appears in second place - Stigger drops out of the race.

The Swiss women do not start the race well. However, Noelle Buri was able to work her way up to tenth place on the first lap and soon moved further ahead, alternating between seventh and eighth position.

Meanwhile, Lecomte continues to extend her lead. It felt like an eternity until Tovo appeared. The world champion also wins the European title - 4:20 minutes pass after she crosses the finish line before the silver medal winner Tovo arrives. The Italian even has to hurry, as the Russian Viktoria Kirsanova catches up in the last lap and rides to within 16 seconds of Tovo.

Noelle Buri secured seventh place and expressed her satisfaction: "I was stuck at the start and couldn't really get to the front. But then I tried to make up places lap after lap and so I'm very happy with my performance."

Tina Züger had even less luck at the start. She even finished in last place, but she is not giving up. "I didn't expect to ride so far to the front, because on the first climb I was looking at the whole field from behind. But as I'm not a fast starter either, I just rode my pace and the saying from our physiotherapist went through my head: "Ride your own race - you versus you and be f****** awesome", which was spot on," says an overjoyed Züger.

Less behind her, Jacqueline Schneebeli finished the race in 15th place. This is the first European Championships in the U23 category for the 2019 Junior European and World Champion.

Results European Championships Monteceneri, U23 women