Proposed by the European Cycling Union (UEC), the Road European Championships bring together more than 900 athletes from 50 nations. The 2016 edition took place in Plumelec in French Brittany from 14 to 18 September 2016.

The program includes 10 events in women and men in the junior categories and hopes of U23 (U23). But also since 2016, the opening match of the professional riders (elite) on road and time-trial races. A first which gives the organization more media aura, including live television broadcasts (60 channels), motivated by the presence of big stars: Peter Sagan, Philippe Gilbert, Marianne Vos, Anna van der Breggen … Historically, the old Europe is also the crib of world cycling and always purveyor of many talents.

Bringing together 45 countries, the European Cycling Union is one of the continental federations of the International Cycling Union (UCI). It is chaired since 2013 by the French David Lappartient, also president of the French Cycling Federation (FFC).