Just one week after 23 new UCI Gravel World Champions were crowned and awarded prized rainbow jerseys in the Netherlands, qualifying for the 2026 world championships kicked off at Legacy Gravel in Belgium on Sunday.

With over 1000 competitors jockeying for position on a 147km mixed surface course, including 9 kilometers of narrow bike paths, crashes were inevitable.

Aaron Van der Beken (RIDLEY RACING TEAM) survived a chaotic start to eventually claim victory. He out-sprinted twelve elite riders arriving at the finish after battling for 147 kilometers. The 24 year old pipped fellow Belgians Mats Omloop, Jan Bakelants and Jordy Bouts to win in 4:02:12. Just behind were Greg Van Avermaet, Lukas Malezsewski and Paul Voss.

The women’s race saw 29 year-old Wendy Oosterwoud (PAS NORMAL RACING) of the Netherlands take a solo victory in 4:34:28. Nathalie Bex 4:34:51 and Tessa Neefjes 4:34:52 sprinted for the remaining podium steps.

The Dane Pim de Waard won the 96 kilometer medio length qualifying race for older age groups in 2:59:32, followed by Dirk Claes 3:01:51 and Andreas Suls 3:04:42.

Marijke de Smedt of Belgium won for the older women in 3:07:00, with Ils Van der Moeren 3:07:56 and Silvia Forrer 3:24:30 next.

Riders finishing in the top 25% of their UCI age/gender category automatically qualify to compete at the 2026 world championships.

Complete Legacy Gravel results HERE

Photo Credit: Facebook/nick.lambrechts.7

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