In a first for the UCI, 3RIDES Gran Fondo along the Dutch-German-Belgian border hosted both gravel and gran fondo world championship qualifying events on the same day from the same venue. Competitors finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category in either the gravel or gran fondo races automatically qualified to participate in the upcoming UCI world championships later this year.

The 120km granfondo saw over 2100 participants from 56 countries take to the start line, with 22 year-old Jordy Vermeulen of the Netherlands soloing for the last 50km to reach the finish first in 2:51:02. Moritz Beinlich was next 54 seconds later, followed by Jens van Korvenpack who won the field sprint for third place. Afterwards from the awards podium, the WILVO Group – TWC De Kempen team rider admitted it was his first time riding a gran fondo, “It was my first Gran Fondo, my teammates talked me into it – that’s why I didn’t expect the success.”

25 year-old speed skater Arianna Pruisscher (Carbonbike Giordana by Gen Z), also of the Netherlands, made it a double dutch day, winning the women’s race in 3:09:29, 29 seconds ahead of Annabelle Trujen and almost 1 minute ahead of Aurore Pauchet.

In the 123km gravel race with 1600 riders, it was Belgian cyclocross specialist Daan Soete (Grobbendonk) who snatched victory from a world-class field. The 29 year-old sprinted under the finish banner in 3:35:04, followed closely by Frederik Raßmann, Dries Van Gestel and Greg Van Avermaet.

The Dutch rider Lucinda Brand (Team Lidl – Trek) won the women’s gravel race in 3:53:10, with Rosa Kolser and Lore de Schepper taking second and third place respectively several minutes later.

In the 85km gravel race for older age group categories, it was Ronney Gerts of Germany who was fastest, finishing in 2:43:23, while Marijke de Smedt was the fastest women in 2:51:26.

Complete 3RIDES gravel and gran fondo results HERE.

Photo Credit: Facebook/3Rides

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