It was no surprise to see Wout van Aert emerge victorious in his first UCI Gravel race. This victory served as fundamental preparation for the next World Championships scheduled for early October (location still unknown after the UCI declared that it had taken the world championship away from Filippo Pozzato's company in Veneto).
Source: press release
What really caught the eye, however, was the 9-minute lead he established over the rest of the field, an achievement he too found impressive.
The 110km race through the challenging terrain of the Belgian Ardennes is renowned as one of the most challenging events in the Trek UCI Gravel World Series. It serves as a rigorous test for both the bike and the tires due to the rough and rocky terrain. Before the race, Wout van Aert undertook a sighting lap on Thursday, using this inaugural gravel race to gain first-hand experience in the world of gravel racing. Interestingly, his natural pace proved too much for his competitors, who clung to his steering wheel until the 40km mark, only to succumb to the relentless pace. He eventually crossed the finish line a remarkable 9 minutes ahead of his training partner, Daan Soete (BEL), and Paul Voss (GER), who had previously showcased his ability by winning in Aachen earlier in the season , securing third place in the standings. a sprint finish.
A similar story unfolded in the women's race, as Pauliena Rooijakkers (NED) established an early lead over fellow Dutchwoman Sabrina Stultiens (NED). She maintained her dominance throughout the race, finally securing the victory with almost 2 minutes ahead of Stultiens. Meanwhile, mountain biker Stefanie Dohrn (GER), who finished second the previous year, this time climbed to third place on the podium, taking the bronze medal.
