The Czech town of Hlinsko hosted its first UCI Gravel World Championships qualifying race on Saturday, and the 131km course through the Iron Mountains and Žďárské Vrchy Highlands produced spirited racing, along with strong performances from several riders building toward October’s world championships.
In the elite men’s race, Denmark’s Jonas Lindberg (Willing Able Racing) soloed to victory in 03:48:39. It was his second series win of the season, following an earlier victory at Winterberg in Germany. Lindberg’s background is off-road rather than on-road. He came up through Danish elite mountain biking, was crowned the U23 Danish cyclocross champion, and won an MTB silver medal before switching his focus to gravel.
Switzerland’s Joel Suter (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) finished second, 2 minutes 4 seconds behind, with home favourite Petr Vakoc (Factor Racing) completing the podium, 2 minutes 28 seconds back. Vakoc, arguably the most accomplished rider on the start list, spent six seasons on Quick-Step’s classics roster, racing alongside Tom Boonen and Zdeněk Štybar, and also started the 2021 Tour de France with Alpecin-Fenix before turning to gravel full-time. Since then, he has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most consistent off-road racers.
Australia’s Nicole Frain (Factor Racing) extended a career-defining campaign with victory in the elite women’s race, crossing the line in 04:28:25. The win followed earlier gravel victories in Belgium at Turnhout, on the Portugal-Spain border at the 114 Gravel Race, and in Austria at Wörthersee, as well as the inaugural Oceania Gravel Championships title earlier this year. With the world championships heading to her native Australia in October, Frain’s form appears perfectly timed.
Czech rider Kristýna Zemanová finished second, 3 minutes 28 seconds behind, ahead of the Netherlands’ Wendy Oosterwoud in third.
In the 131km open categories, Poland’s Adam Adamkiewicz won the men’s race in 04:07:13, edging Czech rider Pavel Skalický by 36 seconds, with Tomáš Fendrich completing the podium. Finnish F1 driver Valterri Bottas was 32nd overall, placing fifth in his 35-39 age group and qualified for the world championships.
Czech rider Anna Rinaglová won the open women’s race in 05:15:43, with compatriot Jana Milec Jiřincová finishing second, 10 minutes 1 second back, and Germany’s Anni Kögel taking third.
Results from Hlinsko count toward qualification for October’s UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Australia.
Gravel Tour Hlinsko results HERE
Photo Credit: Petr Vakoc
© 2026 Copyright Gran Fondo Daily News – All Rights Reserved