A great show in Avezzano (Italy), which hosted the UEC Gravel European Championships and the UEC Gravel European Challenge, an event that saw 299 participants representing 22 nations at the start. On the line were continental titles in 17 categories: two for the Elite (men and women) and fifteen for the Masters.
Both races also served as qualifiers for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships, scheduled for 11–12 October in South Limburg, Province of Limburg (Netherlands).
No doubts in the men’s race, dominated by Danish rider Mads Würtz Schmidt (career winner of a stage at Tirreno–Adriatico in 2021), who set the pace from the very beginning, finishing solo and leaving no chance to his rivals. Joining him on the podium were Norway’s Anton Stensby, second at 4’36”, and France’s Hugo Drechou, third with the same gap.
In the women’s race, Italy’s Erica Magnaldi claimed the European title after a spectacular competition with a dramatic final. Alongside her on the podium were Sophie Wright (Great Britain) and Rosa Kloser (Germany), third at 42 seconds.
The race was long dominated by Germany’s Kloser, who constantly held a lead of over two minutes. However, with just 8 km to go, she suffered a puncture that forced her to cover the final kilometers with a damaged rear wheel. She was caught by Magnaldi and Wright only 400 meters from the finish line and eventually closed in third place.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: “Avezzano hosted a great event, with excellent participation that confirms the steady growth of gravel at European level. The Marsica area proved to be an evocative and ideal setting, a true showcase for the territory.
Abruzzo has once again shown its belief in sport as a vehicle for tourism, culture, and social promotion: this region knows how to combine nature, tradition, and passion, all with a forward-looking vision. After enthusiastically welcoming these Gravel European Championships, we are sure it will also play a leading role when hosting the 2029 Road European Championships.”
