The 18-year-old cyclist delivered a stellar performance, completing the 18.3-kilometer course in 25:47.41, securing her spot at the top of the podium.
'It was a really hard race. I tried to go a little easier on the first climb and push harder on the last one. This win really means a lot to me. I still can't believe it just happened,' she remarked after her victory.
Arens' victory adds to an already impressive season. In 2025, she placed second in both the Ronde van Vlaanderen WJ and Gent-Wevelgem WJ, proving her ability to compete with the best.
Arens had also won the National Championships Netherlands WJ - ITT in 2024 and finished 9th in last year's World Championships ITT in Zürich, showcasing her consistency at the highest level.
Spanish and Norwegian riders push hard for podium finishes
In second place, Spain's Paula Ostiz Taco finished with a time of 26:22.71, 35.30 seconds behind Arens.
Ostiz Taco, who won the 2024 European Junior Time Trial Championship, had an outstanding season in 2025, securing victories at the Grand Prix Valromey Tour Féminin and the Watersley Ladies Challenge, as well as finishing as the runner-up in both the Spanish Junior Time Trial Championship and the Ronde van Vlaanderen WJ.
Norwegian rider Oda Aune Gissinger, another standout in time trials, took third place with a time of 26:24.95, just 37.54 seconds off Arens' pace.
Gissinger, the current European Junior Time Trial Champion, has quickly become one of Norway's brightest cycling talents. This year, she won the Grand Prix Ceratizit Women Junior and the Norwegian Junior National Championships, among other accolades.
Boothman's near podium finish derailed by mishap
The competition was fierce, and one of the most notable stories of the day was the unfortunate mishap of Erin Boothman from Great Britain.
Boothman, the 2025 European Junior Time Trial Champion, was riding strong and even placed herself in contention for a podium finish, having been very close to Arens at the intermediate point. However, a setback struck as Boothman unclipped her foot from the pedal at the bottom of the climb in Kimihurura, bringing her to a complete stop.
Boothman finished in 5th place with a time of 26:36.10, just 48.69 seconds behind Arens.
Women's Junior Individual Time Trial: Top 10 Results
1. Megan Arens (Netherlands) â€" 25:47.41
2. Paula Ostiz Taco (Spain) â€" 26:22.71 (+35.30)
3. Oda Aune Gissinger (Norway) â€" 26:24.95 (+37.54)
4. Roos Müller (Netherlands) â€" 26:34.92 (+47.51)
5. Erin Boothman (Great Britain) â€" 26:36.10 (+48.69)
6. Sidney Swierenga (Canada) â€" 26:41.14 (+53.73)
7. Maria Okrucinska (Poland) â€" 26:54.25 (+1:06.84)
8. Abigail Miller (Great Britain) â€" 27:19.43 (+1:32.02)
9. Liliana Edwards (USA) â€" 27:20.17 (+1:32.76)
10. Laura Five (Belgium) â€" 27:23.54 (+1:36.13)
Rwandan cyclists show their potential
Rwandan junior cyclists Masengesho Yvonne and Uwiringiyimana Liliane competed fiercely in the race, completing the course in times of 29:43.04 and 30:58.67, finishing in 33rd and 40th place, respectively.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
