At Blaavands Huk, it was a weekend the place the street riders dominated with Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep) sprinting to victory within the males’s elite race on the spherical of the UCI Gravel World Sequence in Denmark, whereas within the ladies’s elite race it was a solo win for Emma Norsgaard (Movistar).
Only a week out from ending the Giro d’Italia with three levels victories, Merlier beat Danish rider Jonas Lindberg (Keen Ready) within the dash whereas his Soudal-QuickStep teammate Bert van Lerberghe got here third. The highest spots had been determined from a gaggle that was whittled right down to 4 by the ultimate levels and in addition included Julian Siemons, who tailed off because the dash unfolded.
“For us this was the proper scenario,” stated a mud coated Merlier in a publish race interview, including that he additionally deliberate to race the UCI Gravel World Championships in Belgium. “I’m actually completely satisfied – the primary gravel race I’ve gained.”
Norsgaard didn’t should unfurl her dash energy, as a substitute taking off solo early. Tessa Neefjes (Liv) – who gained the occasion final 12 months – had a chase on her arms after getting caught in a crash about 8km in. The Dutch rider chased again by way of the sphere to take second, 4 minutes and 51 seconds behind Norsgaard. Klara Sofie Skovgaard Hansen (PAS Racing) got here third.
The race, which was over 160km lengthy, began and completed in Blavandshuk on the Danish east coast. It included 85% gravel roads with a small part on the seaside with the flat course heading north earlier than looping again. The elite riders took on three circuits of the course.
Blaavands Huk, which was live streamed, is the one Danish qualifying spherical for the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships. The subsequent group of qualifying races are the Blue Mountains Gravel Fondo in Canada and The Safari Gravel Occasion in Kenya on June 15 then the Want One Millau Grands Causses in France on June 16.
Ladies’s outcomes
Outcomes powered by FirstCycling
Males’s outcomes
Outcomes powered by FirstCycling
