Slovenia to host the biggest cycling event in its history
Between 2 and 7 October 2026, Slovenia will host the 2026 UEC European Road Cycling Championships, the biggest cycling event in the history of independent Slovenia.
The European Championships are coming to Slovenia at a time when Slovenian cycling is achieving the greatest successes in its history. Outstanding achievements by Slovenian cyclists at the world's biggest races have put the country at the centre of the international cycling map, and in October home fans will have the chance to watch the best European cyclists live, right by the roadside in Slovenia.
Six days of top-level road cycling
The championship programme will include road races, a mixed team relay and time trials. Junior riders, under-23 women and men, and elite women and men will compete for European titles. Among the central events will be the 196.3 km men's elite road race with 2,571 metres of elevation gain, while the women's elite race will be 130 kilometres long and include 1,359 metres of elevation gain.
The championship will connect Ljubljana, central Slovenia and Gorenjska. Part of the road races will start at Kongresni trg in the centre of Ljubljana, from where the caravan will head towards Gorenjska.
The routes will pass through numerous towns and villages, with Šenčur serving as the championship's central finish venue.
Možjanca, a key point of the championship
The competitive core of the championship will be a 22.1 km finishing circuit around Šenčur with 367 metres of elevation gain. Riders face a demanding climb up Možjanca, followed by an undulating summit section, a technical descent and a fast finish towards Šenčur.
The climb up Možjanca is 2.1 kilometres long, with an average gradient of 10.2 percent and a maximum of 15.8 percent. Due to its steepness and its position within the finishing circuit, it will be one of the key points for attacks, selection and tactical decisions. The demanding route will require riders to have strength, technical skill, good positioning and total concentration.
A new milestone for Slovenian cycling
Over almost 140 years, a rich cycling tradition has developed in Slovenia, one that in recent years has also gained exceptional international recognition thanks to the successes of Slovenian cyclists. Hosting the 2026 UEC European Road Cycling Championships will therefore be an important new milestone in Slovenia's cycling story, and an opportunity for home fans to experience Europe's cycling elite up close.
