Jarno Widar puts Worlds disappointment behind him with U23 European title
Belgian teen Jarno Widar had big ambitions for the late-season international championships starting at the U23 Worlds last weekend, but the 19-year-old finished a disappointing 34th in Kigali. However, a week later in the French Ardèche region, a vengeful Widar fought back on Saturday to take the Under-23 European title.
Widar is the sort of rider who is a favourite whenever he turns up, and that was no different on the climber-friendly European champs course, where he proved strongest on the final climb of the Val d'Enfer, launching to a solo victory ahead of lone chaser Maxime Decomble (France), with Héctor Álvarez (Spain) leading home a small chase group in third.
After two years on the Lotto development team, the young Belgian is stepping up to the elite squad this winter, which itself is primed for promotion to the WorldTour.
Brief results
- Jarno Widar (Belgium) 3:11:58
- Maxime Decomble (France) +0:14
- Héctor Álvarez (Spain) +0:46
- Simone Gualdi (Italy) "
- Senna Remijn (Netherlands) "
