After Lidl-Trek signed Spanish MotoGP racer Alex Espargaro in December, the cycling world has waited for the superstar to make his pedal-powered gravel racing debut.

On Saturday the 36 year-old did just that, lining up at the UCI Gravel World Series 114 Race on the Portuguese-Spanish border.

Prior to racing in Lidl-Trek colors for the first time, Espargaro told Polvu, “I’m really looking forward to putting on my race number and enjoying gravel and this race, which I’ve been told is very beautiful.”

Espargaro did not disappoint the team or his worldwide fans, finishing an impressive 7th overall and qualifying for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships.

“Riding is fun! Despite having little technique with the gravel bike and premiering the Checkmate [Trek gravel bike] yesterday, I enjoy it a lot and I have good legs to finish seventh overall in my first World Cup and qualify for the Gravel World Championship,” Espargaro posted on Instagram afterwards.

Matthew Holmes, 31, of Great Britain won the race, outsprinting Spaniard Jose Maria Sanchez Ruiz on the line. MTB specialist Enrique Morcillo Vergara, also from Spain, earned third place.

Lucia Gonzalez Blanco, 34, from Spain was the first women, just ahead of Brit Annabel Fisher. Varvara Fasoi of Greece completed the women’s podium.

The 123 kilometer long gravel race started in Elvas, Portugal and finished in Badajoz, Spain. Riders finishing in the top 25% of their UCI age/gender category automatically qualifed for the 2025 Gravel World Championships.

Complete UCI 114 Gravel Race results HERE

Photo Credit: Instagram/AleixEspargaro

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