The UCI Gravel World Series rolled into Halmstad on Saturday for the Gravel Grit’n Grind qualifier, with familiar faces on top of the podium in the elite 155km race, held on the rolling gravel roads and short, punchy climbs of Sweden’s west coast.
Recently crowned European UEC Gravel Champion Femke Markus (Team SD Worx-Protime) of the Netherlands made it three straight victories at the race, crossing the line in 04:44:28 to extend her remarkable run of form at the Swedish qualifier after also winning in 2024 and 2025. Sweden’s Caroline Bome gave the home crowd something to cheer about, finishing 57 seconds back in second, while Dutch rider Elisa Serné rounded out the podium 2 minutes 18 seconds behind the winner.
In the men’s race, Denmark’s Magnus Bak Klaris (PAS Racing) took a home-soil victory in 03:58:52, holding off a strong Danish contingent. Sondre Rokke crossed the line 51 seconds later for second, with Gustav Fredrik Dahl third, 1 minute 51 seconds down, as five Danish riders filled the top five places.
A shorter 98km event for older age-group amateurs ran alongside the elite race, with Denmark’s Ane Jensen and Ole Egeblad topping the women’s and men’s overall fields.
Saturday’s race served as an official 2026 UCI Gravel World Championship qualifier, with the top 25 percent in each age and gender category earning a start at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Western Australia, on 10-11 October.
View Gravel Grit’n Grind results HERE
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