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Eduardo Affini (Italy) claimed the European title within the elite males’s 31.3km particular person time trial in Hasselt on Wednesday.
Switzerland’s Stefan Küng completed simply shy of 10 seconds slower to take the silver medal, whereas Mattia Cattaneo was a shocking third, making two Italians on the rostrum.
It was a good race between the 2021 European Champion Küng and the 2018 under-23 European Champion Affini, with Küng going out more durable within the first 10 kilometres. The Swiss rider was quickest at that first verify, 14 seconds forward of Affini.
Nonetheless, by the second verify after 20 kilometres, Affini had picked up his tempo significantly whereas Küng was extra regular and got here via the verify 0.62 seconds slower than Affini.
Over the ultimate 11.3 kilometres, Küng rallied and clawed again a couple of seconds but it surely wasn’t sufficient. He got here in 9.59 slower than the Italian’s time.
Affini is the primary Italian winner of the European males’s time trial which was added to the UEC’s programme in 2016, and it was an emotional second for the 28-year-old who acquired a congratulatory cellphone name from compatriot Filippo Ganna after the end.
“I do not know what to say,” Affini mentioned combating again tears. “It is a terrific feeling. It has been a very long time and not using a win. I’ve all the time been there. I’ve all the time achieved my job.
“Right now I began with out stress. The final three weeks have been a tough Vuelta for me. One of the tough Grand Excursions ever for me. On Sunday I didn’t really feel so good. It was OK, however I felt like I lacked the ability to attain a superb consequence.
“My coach mentioned it would really feel higher later. I began and, surprisingly sufficient, I felt fairly OK,” Affini added. “Now it is arduous to imagine. I am attempting to take pleasure in it as a lot as potential. Tomorrow, I can obtain one other good consequence with my nationwide group.”
The European Championships proceed on Thursday with the group time trial blended relay.
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