While all eyes in the gravel world were watching the UNBOUND Gravel race in the United States, UCI Gravel World Series racing kicked-off on the other side of the Atlantic in France, with a pro WorldTour rider winning.

Niki Terpstra (TEAM TOTALENERGIES) was victorious in the Wish One Gravel pro-am race, the third event in the UCI Gravel World Series and the first in Europe.

After 130 kilometers of racing, the TotalEnergies rider from The Netherlands crossed the finish line solo, arms up in 4:25:06. In second place fellow Danish rider Piotr Havik (4:26:56) and the final podium step went to the French Adam Blazevik (4:28:34). Tessa Neefjess, also from The Netherlands, won the women’s race.

The victory for Terpstra qualifies him to race in the inaugural UCI Gravel World Championships later this year at a to-be-announced venue. The former Paris-Roubaix winner has not commented on whether he would attend the world championship race.

Other riders finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category also qualified to attend the UCI Gravel World Championships.

Complete UCI Wish One Gravel results HERE.

Photos: Team TotalEnergies

Discover more from GRAN FONDO DAILY

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.