Jasper Stuyven (BEL) and Lorena Wiebes (NL) were crowned the 2023 UEC European Gravel Champions this past Sunday in Belgium.
This first edition of the UEC European Gravel Championships was also the national gravel championship for Belgium and Stuyven came away with both titles, while in the Elite women’s race the Belgian title went to Marthe Truyen, who placed eighth overall.
In the Elite men’s race, a select group of 15 or so riders formed early on and stayed ahead of the main peloton for the duration of the 159 kilometer race. It wasn’t until the penultimate lap that any serious attacks were made from this lead group, the first coming from current gravel world champion, Gianni Vermeersch, who was closely marked by sprinter Tim Merlier. As the final lap approached, Stuyven made his move and quickly established a gap on his rivals that grew to 1:21 by the time he crossed the finish line. Tim Merlier (BEL) won the group sprint for second, followed by Paul Voss (GER) in third.
In the Elite women’s race, Tiffany Cromwell of Australia crossed the line first, but her non-EU status made her ineligible for any kind of official standing. Instead, the 131km European Championships was contested by EU riders Wiebes, Van Empel, and Cecchini, who all formed the lead breakaway. In the end, it was the stronger sprinter Wiebes who outpowered Van Empel and Cecchini for the win.
Lorena Wiebes (NL) won the European title ahead of Fem van Empel (NL) and Elena Cecchini (ITA).
Results
Elite Men
https://www.uec.ch/resources/2023%20Events/gravel/ME.pdf
Elite Women
