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It is finally happening: the first ever UCI Gravel World Championships takes place in Italy this weekend.
A host of big names from professional road racing – including Mathieu van der Poel – and a few from the flourishing gravel scene in the United States – including Unbound Gravel winners Ivar Slik and Sofia Gomez Villafane – are descending on Veneto to fight it out for the first ever rainbow stripes for gravel cycling.
The event, and the UCI’s adoption of the discipline, has been controversial as part of the success of gravel racing over the last few years has been the lack of a governing body and the rules, teamification and closed system that tends to follow.
Gravel resisted the UCI to such an extent that there is already a well established event in the USA called ‘Gravel Worlds’, which is essentially a parody of traditional World Championships.
To attempt to maintain part of this ‘Spirit of Gravel’, the UCI’s #gravelspecific races in the Gravel World Series and World Championships have been drawn up along similar lines to its Gran Fondo events, meaning amateurs have the chance to line up in the same races as professionals.
Riders are also expected to compete individually rather than in teams, although that is easier said than done, especially given they will be racing in their national colours this weekend.
Whether you like it or not, the first UCI Gravel World Championships are happening this weekend and it’s televised, so we’ve rounded up all the info you need to watch in disgust.
It’s set to be an interesting look at how some of the top names in gravel compare to road’s biggest names.
Saturday 8th October: Elite Women, all women’s age groups and men’s 50+.
Sunday 9th October: Elite Men and men’s under-49.
The first UCI Gravel World Championships takes place in Veneto, Italy, beginning in Vicenza, passing through Padua and finishing in Cittadella.
Both elite races will be on GCN+, Eurosport and Discovery+.
Women's Elite: 1300-1500 Saturday 8th October
Men's Elite: 1300-1500 Sunday 9th October
There are three routes being ridden this weekend: a 140km course that will be taken on by all women’s categories as well as the over-50 men on Saturday, a 167km course for men aged 19-40, and a 194km course for just the elite men.
The main thing to note about all the courses is that it’s incredibly flat, so we’re probably looking at Classics specialists thriving in what will likely be fast races.
Handily, the routes have all been put into Komoot, so they’re a lot easier to understand than the standard map and profile provided and also include details of the surfaces along the way.
Riders can qualify for the World Championships through competing in UCI Gravel World Series races throughout the year. The first 25% of finishers in each age group category qualify for Worlds and the top three in each one qualify regardless of number of entrants.
There are also places for the previous World Champion – from 2023 onwards – as well as national champions, such as Saint-Piran’s Jacob Vaughan in the UK.
National Federations also can enter 20 riders across all categories and the host country – Italy, in this case – can enter 40 riders.
Finally Wild Card entries are available in the Elite categories for riders part of UCI-registered teams, these are ‘at the discretion of the UCI’ but essentially means big time pros can race without having to qualify.
It could be worth double-checking some names on the start list as there are clashing road schedules that may lead to no-shows. Elisa Longo Borghini was meant to be racing, however she’ll be at the Tour de Romandie Féminin, there are also some names on the men’s start list due to race Il Lombardia on Saturday.
There are not many big names from the world of gravel on the men’s start list, with Unbound Gravel 2022 winner Ivar Slik, former road racer Nathan Haas and semi-pro road racer Griffin Easter the standouts from that list.
However, it’s unlikely that they will be contesting the victory here. Expect the big names from the road who have experience in off-road racing to come out on top. The difficulty is understanding not only their form but their motivation to win the race.
Mathieu van der Poel is the obvious choice and big favourite, although we have no idea how his legs and mind are after the Wollongong debacle.
Greg Van Avermaet and Zdeněk Štybar stand out as top-tier Cobbled Classics riders whose skills should transfer, with the latter having had big time cyclocross success too, winning three world titles, however with both at the tail ends of their careers, it would be tough to bet on them.
It’s worth keeping an eye on Alexey Lutsenko and Carlos Verona, both high level road racers who have won gravel races. Lutsenko won Serenissima Gravel last year, which was organised by Filippo Pozzato, who is organising the World Championships, was in Veneto, like the World Championships, and was dubbed as the first pro-only gravel race, so he beat capable competition.
Ones to watch elsewhere are Australia’s Adam Blazevic (seen in main image) and Netherlands’ Piotr Havik, who have bagged victories and consistent placings in UCI Gravel World Series races this year.
For Brits, look out for Jacob Vaughan, the Saint Piran rider won King's Cup Gravel at the end of September to take the British National Championship and qualify. Mikey Mottram has also performed well in the World Series races and dominated the Raiders Gravel stage race in Scotland.
If you want my pick, it’s Lutsenko.
The women’s race has a much stronger presence of US-based professionals. Unbound Gravel 2022 winner Sofia Gomez Villafane – who has been strong all year – is probably the most likely to challenge, but Lauren Decrescenzo and Sarah Sturm are also strong riders to keep an eye on.
However, the big favourite is Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. Having just dominated the mountain bike World Championships, becoming the first person to win XCO (cross-country Olympic), XCC (cross-country short track) and XCM (cross-country marathon) titles in the same year, she’s clearly in great form.
Ferran-Prévot has been elite in every discipline she’s ever competed in, becoming the first person ever to hold road, cyclocross and cross-country World Championships in 2015. She’d love to add a gravel title to her palmarès and you wouldn’t bet against her.
One rider who has taken on both road and gravel is Tiffany Cromwell. The Australian is a solid road racer who won Belgian Waffle Ride Kansas gravel race at the end of last year. She’ll want to get a result here.
Keep an eye on Tessa Neefjes and Svenja Betz, who have won two UCI Gravel World Series races each this season.
The best British chance comes via Danni Shosbree, the CAMS-Basso rider is a strong road racer and bagged a second place in a World Series race earlier in the year and won the British national title at King’s Cup Gravel. Maddy Nutt, teammate of Mikey Mottram at Team Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus, has also had solid placings in plenty of races at the World Series and in British races, also dominating Raiders Gravel like Mottram.
If Ferrand-Prévot doesn’t win I’ll eat my socks.
Eric Pedersen (Sweden) Jordan Schleck Ssekanwangi (Uganda) Andrew Lydic (USA) Gleb Karpenko (Estonia) Jelle-Wietse Jongedijk (Netherlands) Mihael Štajnar (Slovenia) Nils Brun (Switzerland) Toby Perry (UK) Tim Wollenberg (Germany) Yevgeniy Fedorov (Kazakhstan) Marco Marzani (Italy) Mathijs Loman (Netherlands) Travis Barrett (South Africa) Jon Knolle (Germany) Rossouw Bekker (South Africa) Marco Gazzola (Italy) Marc Pritzen (South Africa) Nik Čemažar (Slovenia) Jacob Vaughan (UK) Adam Blazevic (Australia) Filippo Zana (Italy) Per Christian Münstermann (Germany) Sampo Malinen (Finland) Travis Bramley (UK) Luca Colnaghi (Italy) Juri Zanotti (Italy) Salim Kipkembo (Kenya) Robin Froidevaux (Switzerland) Charles Kagimi (Uganda) Yannis Voisard (Switzerland) Alexis Roche (Ireland) Luca Cibrario (Italy) Seppe Rombouts (Belgium) Luca Mozzato (Italy) Samuele Zoccarato (Italy) Enrico ZZanoncello (Italy) Raymund Buenaventura (Philippines) Rasmus Gøtke (Denmark) Moran Vermeulen (Austria) Andreas Stokbro Nielsen (Denmark) Felixjames Meo (New Zealand) Adam Roberge (Canada) Felix Ritzinger (Austria) Max Larry (Luxembourg) Ryan Christensen (New Zealand) Matthew Bird (Australia) Matthew Stamatis (South Africa) Gert Kivistik (Estonia) Richard Jansen (Netherlands) Frederik Scheske (Germany) Mattia Viel (Italy) Henry Baird (Australia) Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) Filippo Fiorelli (Italy) Jacob Peterson (USA) Xavier Jové Riart (Andorra) Bram Rombouts (Belgium) Rick Nobel (Netherlands) Davide Ballerini (Italy) Piotr Havik (Netherlands) Dirk Nel (South Africa) Thom Bonder (Netherlands) Sebastian Schönberger (Austria) Clément Fernandez (Belgium) Freddy Ovett (Australia) Jacob Langham (Australia) Matthew Beers (South Africa) Leonardo Basso (Italy) Niels Verdijck (Belgium) Ivar Slik (Netherlands) Josep Termens (Spain) Davide Gabburo (Italy) Marko Pavlic (Slovenia) Magnus Cort (Denmark) Lilian Calmejane (France) Gianni Vermeersch (Belgium) Carlos Verona (Spain) Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakhstan) Lawrence Naesen (Belgium) Julien Trarieux (France) Metheven Bond (UK) Jan-Frederik Finoulst (Belgium) Diederik Deelen (Netherlands) Markus Auvinen (Finland) Lachlan Morton (Australia) Josemaria Sanchez Ruiz (Spain) Griffin Easter (USA) Hendrik Kruger (South Africa) Sieben Devalckeneer (Belgium) Nicholas Pettina (Italy) Jonas Orset (Norway) Mantas Staliunas (Lithuania) Michael Mottram (UK) Tao Quéméré (France) Jasper Ockeleon (Netherlands) Richard Larsén (Sweden) Bram Imming (Netherlands) Robert Jenko (Slovenia) Peter Sagan (Slovakia) Pol Weisgerber (Luxembourg) Tim Diederich (Luxembourg) Nathan Haas (Australia) Alois Falenta (France) Olivier Leroy (France) Thibault Sabatier (France) Cristian Cominelli (Italy) Sascha Weber (Germany) Sacha Modolo (Italy) Philipp Bützow (Luxembourg) Daniel Federspiel (Austria) Seppe Odeyn (Belgium) Jonasch Wintermantel (Germany) Daniel Oss (Italy) Sebastian Einsle (Luxembourg) Alessandro Demarchi (Italy) Paul Voss (Germany) Wolfgang Brandl (Germany) Zdeněk Štybar (Czech Republic) Christian Kreuchler (Germany) Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium) Rafael Visinelli (Italy) David Van Ordsel (USA) Sergio Mantecon Guetierrez (Spain) Nicolas Roche (Ireland) Thomas Bundgaard (Denmark) Riccardo Chiarini (Italy) Matthew Shepherd (Australia) Francesco Failli (Italy) Mat Stephens (USA) Julien Zubero Aldekoa (Spain) Alberto Losada (Spain) Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spain) Lubos Pelanek (Czech Republic) Alban Lakata (Austria) Antonio Ortiz Barranco (Spain) Davide Rebellin (Italy) Matthias Schnapka (Germany) Miguel Ángel López Moreno (Colombia)
Fariba Hashimi (Afghanisatan) Mary Aleper (Uganda) Darcie Richards (Australia) Tiffany Keep (South Africa) Yoldoz Hashimi (Afghanistan) Mika Söderström (Sweden) Letizia Borghesi (Italy) Madeleine Nutt (UK) Sofia Bertizzolo (Italy) Sina Frei (Switzerland) Maaike Coljé (Netherlands) Chiara Teocchi (Italy) Tessa Neefjes (Netherlands) Catherine Colyn (South Africa) Puck Moonen (Netherlands) Svenja Betz (Germany) Janine Schneider (Germany) Riejanne Markus (Netherlands) Danni Shrosbree (UK) Ilaria Sanguineti (Italy) Lija Laizane (Latvia) Marta Romeu (Spain) Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (France) Jade Treffeisen (Germany) Emma Porter (Ireland) Barbara Guarischi (Italy) Lauren Decrescenzo (USA) Sarah Sturm (USA) Annabel Fisher (UK) Holly Mathews (USA) Hayley Simmonds (UK) Tiffany Cromwell (Australia) Rasa Leleivyte (Lithuania) Laura Martin Perez (Spain) Lauren Stephens (USA) Carolin Schiff (Germany) Eva Lechner (Italy) Hanna Johansson (Sweden) Fabienne Schaus (Luxembourg) Anna Giesen (Germany) Amanda Voss (Germany) Emily Newsom (USA) Rachel Neylan (Italy) Pauline Sabin Teyssedre (France) Carin Winell (Sweden) Simona Mazzucotelli (Italy) Sofia Gomez Villafane (Argentina)
For more gravel content, visit our hub page.
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