There will also be the big names in cycling at the first Gravel cycling world championship, scheduled for 8 and 9 October between Vicenza and Cittadella. An example? Peter Sagan.
Source: press release
The Slovakian champion, three times world champion on the road, has decided to brush up on his off-road past and to take part in the test that on 9 October will elect the first Elite Gravel world champion in the history of cycling.
THE CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE GRAVEL WORLDWIDE
A few days ago the first Italian Gravels took place in Argenta (see the race report) and we took the opportunity to understand what should be the Gravel race format, if there is to be a competitive aspect.
"I don't have much experience in gravel, indeed, for me it will be my debut in competitions of this type - says Sagan, who in his career boasts, in addition to the three world road championships, a Paris-Roubaix, a Giro delle Flandre and three Gand-Wevelgem, seven green jerseys at the Tour and a cyclamen jersey at the Giro d'Italia -. Gravel intrigues me, it is a specialty that is creating a lot of interest among enthusiasts and professionals. The fact that the UCI has set up a world championship proves this. I'm happy to be there because we run in a land I know and like, and also because Filippo Pozzato, the organizer, is a friend. I will be in the world championship with the support of Specialized and Sportful, I will race without the stress of the result but determined to do the best I can - assures Peter Sagan -. For me this world championship will also be an opportunity to be among the people, to have fun with the other riders and the fans. Sharing and socialization are a strength of Gravel, and this is undoubtedly one of the aspects I like the most.".
The program of the Gravel World Championship begins with the tests of the Over 50 women and men, on Saturday 8 October over a distance of 140 kilometers, while the professionals will compete the next day on a 194 kilometer course which also includes two final laps of 27,5 kilometers. Men in the 19-49 age groups, on the other hand, will do just one lap, until they complete 165 kilometers. The unpaved part of the routes corresponds to about 75% of the total.
WORLD GRAVEL ROUTE 2022
After the start in Campo Marzo in Vicenza, the competitors will climb to Monte Berico and Arcugnano, before descending towards Lake Fimon and continuing in the direction of Montegaldella. You will enter the province of Padua touching Selvazzano and Tancarola, and then reverse around the city of the Saint. The course of the Brenta river will guide the runners towards Piazzola and Cittadella. The elite men and competitors of the Under 49 men's categories will enter a circuit between Cittadella and Tezze sul Brenta, before reaching the finish line in Piazza Pierobon in Cittadella.
The Gravel World Championship is organized by PP Sport Events with the support of: the Veneto Region, the Municipality of Vicenza, the Municipality of Cittadella, Grana Padano, Weider.
Altimetry Men Elite (194 km)
