Just two years ago Belgian Olivier Godfroid was an amateur gran fondo rider selling shoes for a living when he won the world famous Mallorca 312 gran fondo, and earned a pro contract with team BALOISE TREK LIONS. Now, the 29 year-old has once again stunned the racing world by winning a UCI Gravel World Championship qualifying race in Switzerland on Saturday – defeating one of the world’s best gravel racers.
On a muddy, wet and gritty Gravel Suisse course starting and finishing in Villars-sur-Ollon, Godfroid crossed under the final banner to earn victory solo in 3:32:21. He had over a one minute gap on Petr Vakoc (3:33:46) of the Czech Republic, whose accomplishments include 2nd at Unbound Gravel, 2nd SBT GRVL and winning the classic Brabantse Pijl pro road race. Martin Stosek, also of the Czech Republic, finished in 3:34:34 to claim third place and the final podium spot.
Karolina Migon (PAS RACING) of Poland was the first woman, winning in 4:09:26. German Carolin Schiff, fresh of a victory last week at UCI Hegau Gravel, was second just over a minute later and Annabel Fischer of Great Britain was next another two minutes back.
Over 550 riders took part in the event, with those finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category automatically qualifying for the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships taking place in Belgium in October.
Photo Credit: UCI Gravel Suisse, Baloise Trek Lions
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