15th Annual Belgian Waffle Ride California - May 2-3 - Register NOW!
United States >> 2026 Trek UCI Gravel World Series >> Giorgia Vettorello and Tobias Konig take Victory at 2026 UCI Giro Sardegna Gravel
 
Add to My Favourites
 
Add to My Favourites

Giorgia Vettorello and Tobias Konig take Victory at 2026 UCI Giro Sardegna Gravel

Giro Sardegna Gravel took centre stage on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, bringing together riders for a fast scenic day of racing in a unique coastal setting. A total of 138 riders from 16 different countries registered for the event

Giorgia Vettorello and Tobias Konig take Victory at 2026 UCI Giro Sardegna Gravel

The race started and finished in front of Hotel Torre Salinas, near the beach and the internal pond between Muravera and Villasimius. Riders tackled a highly scenic course that combines smooth gravel roads, short asphalt sections and wide dirt tracks, making it both accessible and selective.
 
The opening kilometres followed a flat coastal route before turning inland, passing ponds, the Flumendosa River and quiet countryside roads. From San Priamo (km 13), riders entered a circuit that forms the sporting heart of the event. Elite riders and younger age categories completed the circuit twice, while older age categories ride a single lap.
 
The Long course was 107 km with 1,291 m of elevation gain and the sahort course was 66 km with 684 m of elevation gain. Each lap featured one major climb, rising from sea level to a maximum altitude of 343 metres, offering panoramic views over the Colostrai valley.
 
In a thrilling showcase of talent and endurance, Tobias Konig (RSC Auto Brosch Kempten) clinched the elite men’s title with a time of 3:08:05 at the 2026 UCI Giro Sardegna Gravel, finishing more than a minute clear of his closest rival. His compatriot, Anton Albrecht (Fit4Stein-Bikes), finished in second place, crossing the line 1:06 behind. The podium was completed by Albert Gathemann (Benotti Berthold), who secured third place, finishing 5:38 adrift of the winner.
 
The elite women's race saw a stunning performance from Italy's Giorgia Vettorello (BMX Club Sarrians), who claimed victory with a time of 3:41:04. Vettorello fended off a fierce challenge from Dutch gravel specialist Tessa Neefjes (Liv Racing Collective), who finished just 1:50 behind. Nicole Luijsterburg (Team Tenerife) of the Netherlands rounded out the podium, finishing closely behind in third place with a time of 3:42:04.
 
The competition took place amidst the stunning scenery of Sardinia, highlighting the beauty and challenge of gravel cycling. Participants faced a demanding course that tested their skills and stamina, solidifying the Giro Sardegna Gravel as a key event in the gravel cycling calendar.
 
In the men’s category, 45-year-old former Czech pro Lubos Pelanek (Carrera Team Vivere) and Britain's Travis Bramley (Plymouth Corin Inglese) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, both over 19 minutes behind the leader. Italian Andrea Ricca (Cycling Cafe Racing Team) placed sixth, finishing 20 minutes off the pace.
 
In the elite women’s race, Australian Janine Vierthaler (Edelsten Racing) secured a commendable fourth place finish, while Poland’s Izabela Janusz (VZW KDM Pack Cycling Team) rounded out the top five. 
 
The top 25% in each category earn qualification for the UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Western Australia this October 10–11 2026.
 
2026 UCI Giro Sardegna Gravel Men Top 10
 
1 KONIG TOBIAS AUTO BROSCH KEMPTEN 3:08:05.377
2 ALBRECHT ANTON FIT4STEIN-BIKES 3:09:11.379
3 GATHEMANN ALBERT BENOTTI BERTHOLD 3:13:43.140
4 PELANEK LUBOS CARRERA TEAM VIVERE 3:27:26.174
5 BRAMLEY TRAVIS PLYMOUTH CORIN 5 3:27:41.934
6 RICCA ANDREA CYCLING CAFE' RACING TEAM 3:28:05.687
7 NICA PAOLO S.C. VALLE SERIANA - CENE A.S.D. 3:34:50.192
8 SOLFERINO MATTIA DUEPPI CYCLING PROJECT 3:41:10.458
9 DI LUIGI EDOARDO CYCLING CAFE' RACING TEAM 4:12:55.548
 
2026 UCI Giro Sardegna Gravel Women Top 10
 
1 VETTORELLO GIORGIA BMX CLUB SARRIANS 3:41:04.220
2 NEEFJES TESSA LIV RACING COLLECTIVE 3:42:54.220
3 LUIJSTERBURG NICOLIEN TEAM TENERIFE 3:43:04.220
4 VIERTHALER JANINE EDELSTEN RACING 4:00:07.009
5 JANUSZ IZABELA VZW KDM PACK CYCLING TEAM 4:07:50.000
 
2026 UCI Giro Sardegna Gravel Results: https://www.endu.net/en/events/girosardegnagravel/results
UCI Gravel World Series News