The 2026 UEC Track Juniors & Under 23 European Championships got off to the perfect start for UAE Team ADQ, with an immediate gold medal at the velodrome in Cottbus, Germany.
Racing in the colours of the Italian National Team, Federica Venturelli claimed the Women’s Under 23 Individual Pursuit European title, once again confirming her status among the discipline’s leading specialists.
The Italian covered the 4,000-metre distance in 4:43.174, setting the fastest time of the competition at an average speed of 50.852 km/h. After delivering an outstanding qualifying ride, Venturelli produced a brilliant comeback in the final to defeat Belgium’s Luca Vierstraete and secure the European crown. Great Britain’s Isabel Sharp completed the podium with the bronze medal.
Also in action was Magdalena Leis of the UAE Development Team, who finished in 11th place.
Federica Venturelli said: “It was a very demanding race. The Belgian rider set a really strong time in qualifying, so I knew the final would be extremely tough. Racing on an outdoor velodrome also made a difference because we haven’t competed in those conditions for quite some time. I managed to perform at my best both in qualifying and in the final, and I’m really happy to have won the title. It wasn’t one of my main goals this season, so I hadn’t specifically prepared for it, which makes this victory even more satisfying. Winning the Individual Pursuit European title for the fifth consecutive year – twice as a Junior and now three times as an Under-23 rider – is a very special feeling.”
(credits: @uec_cycling)
