Florian Vermeersch wins Gravel world title after going on the attack early

Belgian Florian Vermeersch soloed to the elite men's Gravel World Championship title in Maastricht ahead of silver-medalist Frits Biesterbos (Netherlands), with former world champion Matej Mohorič (Slovenia) in third.

Two-time Gravel Worlds runner-up Vermeersch said himself that he "didn't see much of the peloton" having suffered an early puncture, then attacking soon after he regained contact. The Classics specialist who races for UAE Team Emirates-XRG on the road was on the attack from 120 km to go, gradually riding his companions off his wheel, Biesterbos the last to drop away 19 km from the line.

Mohorič, meanwhile, was one of the most determined chasers from the bunch, clawing his way through those dropped by Vermeersch to land among the medals. The likes of Tim Wellens (Belgium) and Tom Pidcock (Great Britain), however, left it a little too late, settling for a top 10 finish – the young Brit was racing a new Dogma GR less than 24 hours after finishing sixth at Il Lombardia.

Brief results

1. Florian Vermeersch (Belgium) 4:39:12
2. Frits Biesterbos (Netherlands) +0:40
3. Matej Mohorič (Slovenia) +1:23
4. Floris Van Tricht (Belgium) +1:40
5. Félix Stehli (Switzerland) +1:41

dailynews Gravel UCI Gravel World Championships Florian Vermeersch