"I have been able to race far too little as world champion" - Gravel World Champion Gianni Vermeersch talks about the year in rainbow jersey

Gianni Vermeersch will defend his title in Veneto on Sunday on Gravel World Championships. The Belgian rider won the rainbow jersey last year after a long breakawa ywith Daniel Oss, whom he beat in the final. Vermeersch was thus able to enjoy being world champion jersey for a year.

"I have actually been able to race far too little as world champion. Unfortunately, most of the gravel races of the Gravel World Series always coincided with road races. That's a shame," he said about the limited number of gravel races in his program in an interview for WielerFlits.

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"If something was possible besides my road program, I took those opportunities. Normally I also had to ride a road race on the weekend of the European Championships/BK and the World Cup, but the team has ensured that I can still ride those gravel races. I find that pleasant," says Vermeersch.

Next Sunday, Vermeersch will end his limited gravel season at the World Championships. So he starts there as the outgoing world champion. Again with ambition? "Certainly. I really enjoy riding all gravel races. It is also something that suits me, so I certainly have the necessary ambition to do well at the World Championships again."

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VIDEO: Remco Evenepoel crashes at the start of Il Lombardia