Magnaldi and Bardet Claim Victory at UCI La Monsterrando Gravel Race

Former professional cyclist Roman Bardet marked a triumphant return to racing by capturing his first gravel title at the UCI Gravel World Championships qualifier held this weekend in the scenic Piemonte wine region

Covering a challenging 120 km course through rolling hills, Bardet clocked a solo victory time of 3:25:47, edging out strong competitors Petr Vakoc of the Czech Republic and Dutch rider Loman Mathijs.

The men’s race showcased intense competition, with Bardet’s tactical breakaway securing him the top spot. Czech rider Petr Vakoc of Canyon Integray finished closely behind at 3:26:15, while Loman Mathijs from Swatt Club completed the podium in 3:26:49.

In the women’s category, Italian Erica Magnaldi of UAE Team ADQ dominated the course, finishing in 3:55:56. She was closely followed by Australian Nicole Frain (Ridley Racing Team) 3:58:41 and Swiss competitor Irina Lutzelschwab, who finished in 3:59:36.

The event also featured an 80 km Masters race where Daniele Bertozzi won the men’s race in 2:47:38, and Cristina Prato Maria took the women’s title with a time of 3:09:25. Top finishers in each UCI age and gender category earned automatic qualification for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships scheduled to take place in the Netherlands this October.

“This race was a perfect challenge to test endurance and strategy on gravel terrain,” said Roman Bardet. “Winning here means a lot as I step into this new chapter of my cycling career. The support and competition were incredible, and I’m excited for what’s next at the World Championships.”

The UCI La Monsterrando qualifier continues to grow in prominence as a key event in the gravel racing calendar, attracting elite cyclists and passionate amateurs alike to compete in Italy’s beautiful and demanding landscapes.

Link to 2025 UCI La Monsterrando Results: https://www.endu.net/en/events/monsterrando/results