WorldTour superstar Wout van Aert is looking to add a UCI Gravel World Championship victory to his palmares, so the rider with three CX World Championships titles and nine Tour de France stage wins, first had to qualify for gravel worlds. He did so at UCI Houffalize Gravel in Belgium on Saturday by riding over 1000 amateur and pro graveleurs off his wheel, with ease.

Van Aert rode almost the entire 110 kilometer gravel route around the city of Houffalize solo, the Jumbo Visma team rider attacked early and then “enjoyed” his first UCI gravel race. He coasted across the finish line in 3:20:47 with a massive 9 minute lead.

“Today I certainly enjoyed myself and sometimes that is also important,” Van Aert told Wielerflits. “We wanted to ride here to test my equipment, so I’m now looking forward to riding the world championships and ending the season. When I start at worlds, it’s to do the best I can and that’s to try and get that title.”

Daan Soete (3:29:47) finished in second place, with Paul Voss (3:29:49) third. Pauliena Rooijakkers (4:04:36) won the women’s race.

An astonishing 37 racers were disqualified for rule violations, including multiple UCI Gran Fondo World Champion and former Tour de France rider Johnny Hoogerland.

Riders finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category automatically qualified to attend the UCI Gravel World Championships in Veneto, Italy in October.

Photo Credit: Raymond Kerckhoffs

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