"There is no support from the cycling federation" - Gravel world champion has to cover all expenses to defend his crown in Australia

Gravel
Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 06:00
Florian Vermeersch
The 2026 Gravel World Championships have quite the special venue - Nannup, Australia. While undeniable a fascinating scene to witness the rainbow race battle, it brings an extra challenge to the organizational aspect for all partcipants. And not even the defending world champion Florian Vermeersch is exempt from the extra complications.
Part of the world's best road cycling team, Florian Vermeersch has his work cut out in his regular season, including a number of races to complete before the season finishes. After he's done racing in Canada on Sunday, Vermeersch makes a quick round-trip back to Belgium for GP Wallonie (September 16) and the Flandrien 0.0 Classic (September 19), before taking off for Australia.
Regardless of the outcome, Vermeersch's season doesn't end there. UAE Team Emirates - XRG have given Vermeersch the freedom to pursue his gravel goal, but at the "cost" of being nominated to ride the "unpopular" WorldTour season wrap-up event Tour of Guangxi in China the following week (October 13-18).

Vermeersch on his own

However the busy travelling schedule does not bother Vermeersch in the slightest it appears: "That World Championship is a big goal and Australia will be a fun experience. I've already done my homework," he tells Sporza about the course recon.
There was no other way. The Belgian cycling federation is not as excited about the discipline as to fully cover the expenses of its riders travelling to Australia, leaving everything up to the riders themselves. Or their teams. "After all, it is a trip I have to organize myself. There is no support from the cycling federation."

UAE won't do more than the minimum

However UAE Team Emirates - XRG isn't exactly paying Vermeersch for the adventure either, only going as far as to provide material support. "I race there for the national team. I'm just happy that my team gives me the time and space to do this."
"I get equipment from my team and I pay for the flights myself, but I am willing to make that investment. That is no problem," he concludes.
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