Mathieu van der Poel, Lotte Kopecky, Matej Mohoric: Who will win the Gravel World Championships?

The UCI Gravel World Championships return for a third edition this weekend, taking place in the heart of Belgium on October 5-6th. With the dust barely settled from Tadej Pogacar’s stunning world title ride on the road in Zurich, and Lotte Kopecky’s successful title defence, the focus now shifts to the rough and unpredictable terrain of gravel racing, where more rainbow jerseys are up for grabs.

This year's championships follow a year-long qualification process through the expanded Trek UCI Gravel World Series. Growing from 16 global events in 2023 to 25 this year, the series saw riders battle it out across diverse terrains worldwide, with the top 25% of finishers in each category securing their spot for this weekend's showdown. The deeper and more competitive fields promise thrilling races on both days.

Belgium’s Flemish region, known for its rich cycling history, will host the gravel championships. The area has long been the beating heart of Belgian cycling, famed for its brutal cobbled classics such as the Tour of Flanders, and has previously hosted events like the UCI Road World Championships in Leuven. Cycling here isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life, and the rugged terrain of Flanders will provide the perfect backdrop for a weekend of hard-fought racing.

The women’s race covers 133km between Halle and Leuven, while the men’s course spans 182km over the same route, featuring a mix of technical gravel sections rolling hills and passionate fans that Belgium is so famous for. Both races will offer a tough test, blending endurance, bike handling, and tactical nous.

Kasia Niewiadoma from Poland returns to defend her women’s gravel title. The 30-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal year, having also claimed the Maillot Jaune at the 2024 Tour de France Femmes in August after a dramatic finale atop Alpe d'Huez. Niewiadoma’s thrilling victory at the Tour, where she fended off fierce competition from riders like Demi Vollering, showcased her versatility and strength. As both the reigning Tour de France and Gravel World Champion, she’s undoubtedly one of the most well-rounded cyclists in the peloton and will be a major contender for the rainbow jersey once again this Saturday.

On the men’s side, Matej Mohoric of Slovenia will defend his title on Sunday, October 6th. The 29-year-old Bahrain Victorious rider is no stranger to big wins, with three Tour de France stage victories, and one stage win at both the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España to his name. Known for his attacking style and fearless descending, Mohoric is also a one-day specialist, having won Milan-San Remo in 2022. After his success in last year's gravel race, he’ll be aiming to repeat his performance and retain the title.

Headlining the men’s field is none other than Mathieu van der Poel, the Dutch superstar who is fresh off relinquishing his road world title to Tadej Pogacar in Zurich. Van der Poel remains the reigning cyclocross world champion and could add a third discipline to his already glittering résumé this weekend. Though he was beaten by Pogacar last weekend, Van der Poel still claimed a bronze medal and will undoubtedly be a favourite on the gravel. His spring dominance in Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders showed he can handle rough, unforgiving terrain, making him a strong contender.

Another rider to watch is Connor Swift from Great Britain. The 28-year-old Ineos Grenadiers rider has a strong pedigree in gravel racing, having finished third last year. Swift, who also won the British road race championship in 2018, will be looking to improve on last year's podium finish and could be a dark horse in this competitive field.

On the women’s side, the Dutch are bringing a powerhouse lineup with the likes of Lorena Wiebes, Demi Vollering, and Marianne Vos. Wiebes, the current European road champion, finished fifth at last year’s Gravel Worlds in Italy. After skipping the road worlds in Zurich, she comes into the race fresh and ready to contend. Lotte Kopecky, Belgium’s back-to-back road world champion, will also be making her gravel debut. Despite this being her first foray into gravel racing, Kopecky’s extraordinary ability makes her one to watch regardless of the terrain.

Gravel racing has surged in popularity over the last few years, appealing to a wide range of riders due to its unique blend of road, cyclocross, and mountain biking. The unpredictable nature of gravel terrain attracted both professional racers and amateur cyclists alike. The expansion of the UCI Gravel World Series is a testament to its growing appeal, with riders from all over the world flocking to qualify and test themselves in this fast-evolving discipline. Just last year, Wout van Aert finished in 8th place, and may well have returned this year if it weren’t for his crash at the Vuelta.

Many grand tours now dedicate a stage to gravel racing. Looking back to this year’s Tour de France, stage 9 featured fourteen gravel sections on the white roads of Champagne. It was an epic race, where the likes of Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar launched attacks through the dust and gravel, and Anthony Turgis secured the stage win. There was also a gravel stage at the Giro in 2021, which Egan Bernal won in epic fashion to secure his first grand tour stage victory.

Gravel’s rise in prominence has been driven by its accessibility, many races take place on open roads and trails, making it easy for riders to participate without needing specialized race equipment. It’s a purer form of racing, often focused less on teams and more on individual endurance, bike-handling skill, and some luck. For fans, gravel offers the unpredictability and excitement of road racing, with the added thrill of off-road obstacles and a more intimate connection to nature.

As we head into the weekend, all eyes will be on Halle and Leuven to see who can conquer the gravel and claim the coveted rainbow jerseys. With the depth of talent on display, both the men’s and women’s races promise to be unmissable.