Affini, who took the European time trial title eleven days ago, again showed his excellent form on the 46-kilometre course. The Italian clocked the fastest time at every intermediate point and was allowed to take the hot seat after just under an hour. In the end, only Evenepoel and Ganna managed to finish below Affini's time.

"I am very happy with this", Affini said. "I didn't expect to be on the podium. Beforehand, I was hoping for a place in the top 10 and if things worked out, in the top five. When I was in the hot seat and saw that the other guys were slower, I quietly started to believe that a podium finish was in the cards. That was a great feeling."

According to Affini, there is no specific secret to his successful month, in which he took two European titles and a bronze medal at the World Championships. "I didn't have much time to train specifically. After the Vuelta and the European Championship, it was about recovering as much as possible and getting fit. Apparently that paid off."