Schönberger and Borghesi fastest at Sold Out UCI Woerthersee Gravel
The first UCI Gravel race in Austria last weekend was designed by former pro rider and UCI Masters Gravel World Champion Johnny Hoogerland in his hometown at the Woerthersee lake
The organizers decided to limit the number of participants for this first edition to 1,000 announcing a complete sell-out one month ahead of the event.
The 49km lap was three times for the elites and younger categories while the masters age groups finished after two laps. Along the course there was a 2km steep climb with gardients up to 20% and another less steep climb a few kilometres before the finish line. Much of the route meandered along the scenic Grau river.
The race attracted a selection elite gravel pro's including Daniel Oss, Mattia de Marchi, Paul Voss, Sebastian Schonberger, Jan Bakelants, Peter Vakoc and his compatriots Jasper Ockeloen, Laurens ten Dam and Ivar Slik in the men’s race.
In the women's catetgory, the race attracted Tessa Neefjes, Carolin Schiff and Geerike Schreurs.
Austrian cyclist Sebastian Schöhnberger (Team Felt Felbermayr) crossed the finish line first with a remarkable time of 4h 23s ahead of German Paul Voß (Autsaid) in second place and Belgian Daam Soete (Deschacht Hens Maes CX) in third place.
In the women's race, Italian Giada Borghesi (Lapierre BTC City Lluibjana) won in a time of 4h 28m 36s, just ahead of Dutch lady Geerike Schreurs (Specialized SD Worx) and German lady Carolin Schiff (Canyon CLLCTV).
VIDEO: 2024 UCI Woerthersee Gravel Highlights
2024 UCI Woerthersee Gravel Men's Podium
2024 UCI Woerthersee Gravel Women's Podium
Category Winners Gran Fondo 144km
M19-34 Manolo Wrolich
M35-39 Christian Brack
M40-44 Karol Sladek
M45-49 Guido Paolo Dracone
M50-54 Vladi Riha
M55-59 Andrea Pendini
F19-34 Anna Kollmann-Suhr
F35-39 Zsofia Toth
F40-44 Nada Voracova
F45-49 Sonja Tajsich
Category Winners Medio Fondo 97km
M60-64 Andrej Zavbi
M65-69 Hermann Mandler
M70-74 Alfred Lechnitz
M75-79 Pierluigi Talamona
F50-54 Marijke De Smedt
F55-59 Kathi Sigmund
F60-64 Nadia Sgarbossa
Link to 2024 UCI Woerthersee Gravel Results: https://www.woerthersee-gravel.com/en/results
Riders finishing in the top 25% in their age and gender category have automatically qualified to participate in the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships taking place in Belgium
The next round of the 2024 UCI World Championships takes place in Spain at La Indomable April 20th.