World's best cyclists across multiple age groups
The 2023 Gravel World Championships unfolded in Veneto, Italy during the weekend of October 7-8, 2023, showcasing an array of categories, including Elite Men and Women, as well as Masters categories, which even extended to cyclists over the age of 70. This event encompassed challenging terrains that encompassed gravel, pavement, flats, and hilly sections, putting the skills and stamina of off-road cyclists to the ultimate test. The competition attracted some of the world’s most exceptional cyclists, with both elite men and women contending for supremacy, alongside riders in various age groups.
🟢 🟢 🟢
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) October 8, 2023
The Men Elite race is underway! #Veneto2023 pic.twitter.com/FhbDuXhDcs
South Africa contingent at the championship
South Africa proudly fielded a contingent of 18 riders across these diverse age categories, featuring a robust representation of six cyclists in the Men’s Elite division. Among these esteemed competitors were Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg, a previous contender in the Tour de France, and Rossouw Bekker, who has previously made his mark in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
Grueling Course for all involved
The race’s grandeur is not for the faint-hearted, evident in the grueling distances and challenging terrain. In the Elite Men’s race, participants braved 169 kilometers, a course that was mirrored for the men’s age categories spanning from 19 to 49, amassing an awe-inspiring elevation gain of 1,900 meters.
On the other hand, the race for Elite Women, Women aged 19-49, and Men aged 50-64 spanned 142 kilometers with an elevation of 1,720 meters. Women aged 50 and above, as well as Men aged 65 and above, tackled a 99.7-kilometer course, ascending to an elevation of 1,030 meters.
The main climbs of the course ↗️
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) October 8, 2023
It will be a tough day out for the Men Elite riders in the battle for the rainbow jersey 🌈#Veneto2023 pic.twitter.com/h82PBaQ2nj
South Africa Men Results
Team South Africa’s Elite Men exhibited their prowess on this demanding stage. The results and classifications were as follows:
– Erik Heyns finished 137th with a time of 6 hours and 2 seconds.
– Rogan Smart secured 82nd place, clocking in at 5 hours and 32 minutes and 20 seconds.
– Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg displayed a stellar performance, claiming 74th place with a time of 5 hours and 30 minutes and 12 seconds.
– Rossouw Bekker, demonstrating remarkable resilience, took the 142nd position with a time of 6 hours and 3 minutes and 37 seconds.
Slovenia’s Matej emerged triumphant in the elite men’s race, surmounting the challenging course in 4 hours, 53 minutes, and 56 seconds. Florian Vermeersch from Belgium and Connor Swift from the United Kingdom secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Matej’s victory was all the more remarkable as he overcame a crash in the final 3.5 kilometers, remounting his bike to seize the gold.
The strongest on the day 💪
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) October 10, 2023
No stopping @matmohoric as he rode to gold at the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships 🥇#Veneto2023 pic.twitter.com/C255Sgah6c
In other men’s sections, Team South Africa’s athletes showcased their tenacity and determination:
– Men aged 19-34: Andrew Bosch secured 122nd place with a time of 6 hours and 20 minutes and 4 seconds.
– Men aged 35-39: Christoff Van Heerden put on a commendable performance, finishing 8th with a time of 5 hours and 22 minutes and 17 seconds.
– Men aged 40-44: Brad Venter secured the 36th position with a time of 5 hours and 51 minutes and 33 seconds.
– Men aged 45-49: Jacques Van Staden clinched 76th place with a time of 6 hours and 17 minutes and 35 seconds, while Johan Naude took the 66th position with a time of 6 hours and 7 minutes and 22 seconds.
– Men aged 50-54: Francois Kemp showcased his prowess, finishing 64th with a time of 5 hours and 31 minutes and 37 seconds.
– Men aged 70-74: Jerry De Boer secured 22nd place with a time of 4 hours and 9 minutes and 37 seconds, and Gerhard Muller followed closely in 29th place with a time of 4 hours and 30 minutes and 50 seconds.
South Africa Women Results
The women’s results were equally noteworthy:
– Women aged 40-44: Juanita McKenzie displayed a remarkable performance, claiming the 15th spot with a time of 5 hours and 58 minutes and 15 seconds.
– Women aged 45-49: Ingrid Youell put forth a valiant effort, although she did not complete the entire course.
– Women aged 60-64: Anne Blewett secured 45th place with a time of 4 hours and 59 minutes and 6 seconds.
Future UCI Gravel Championships confirmed
In addition to the remarkable displays of cycling prowess, the UCI has unveiled the locations for the next four Gravel Championships, which will be held annually. The 2024 edition is set to grace the region of Vlaams Brabant in Belgium, followed by the 2025 event in Nice, France. These upcoming championships promise to continue the tradition of exhilarating and challenging gravel racing at the highest level.
Men’s Elite Race Highlights Below:
Women’s Elite Race Highlights Below:
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