Van der Poel takes world gravel cycling title ahead of Belgium's Vermeersch
Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands has won the men’s race in the Gravel World Championships in Leuven. Belgian rider Florien Vermeersch finished second, 1 minute behind.
Vermeersch kept pace with Van der Poel for much of the race but the Dutchman made his decisive move 13km from the finish.
Three more Belgian riders were involved in a cagey five-way sprint for third place, with Quinten Hermans finishing ahead of Jasper Stuyven in fourth and Gianni Vermeersch in fifth. Defending champion Matej Mohoric of Slovenia finished seventh.
The race covered a 181km route from Halle to Leuven. In the women’s race on Saturday, Dutch rider Marianne Vos beat Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky to first place in a tightly contested final sprint.
'Unique experience'
Earlier on Sunday, the European Cycling Union announced it was awarding the 2026 European Gravel Championships to Houffalize in Luxembourg province.
“Houffalize is a benchmark in off-road cycling and has already hosted many major international competitions,” said union president Enrico Della Casa in a press release. “With this tradition and a natural setting, athletes and gravel enthusiasts will undoubtedly enjoy a unique experience in 2026.”
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS
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