Mudfest for riders at sold out Gravel One Fifty

The third edition of the Gravel One Fifty event in the Netherlands was an epic weekend Mud Fest in Peize, with over 2,000 riders taking part in the sold out race

The course remained largely unchanged, offering a 150km challenge for men up to the age of 50 and women up to the age of 60, and a shorter 85km option for older riders vying for qualification in this year’s UCI Gravel World Championships. It’s a flat and fast race on Gravel roads in the Northern Drenthe province of Holland.

This year’s edition promised fierce competition with top riders from 20 different countries. In the women’s category, Tessa Neefjes, Lonneke Uneken and Leonie Bentveld are the favourites to watch. The men’s race is shaping up to be a thrilling battle between last week’s winner in Switzerland, Olivier Godfroid, and a strong contingent of challengers including Piotr Havik, Jasper Ockeloen, Coen Vermeltfoort, Sven Thureau, Gerben Mos, Tijmen Eising, and Jens Adams. Adding further excitement to the mix is former Cyclocross World Champion and Tour de France stage winner Lars Boom, who will also be taking to the start line.

Rising British talent, Thomas Mein (Hope Factory Racing) attacked a leading group of 6 other riders and finished solo in 4:26:06, in second was Dutchman Rick Ottema (4:28:50) in second, and Belgian Brent Cle (4:28:50) in third place.

In the women's category, UCI World Cyclcross Champion Thalita de Jong (Lotto Dstny Ladies) won the women’s race in 5:06:57, with Mariëlle Trouwborst (5:07:53) in second place and Wendy Oosterwoud (5:10:36) third place.

Peter van Impe (3:05:47) and Reza Ravenstijn (3:26:04) were the fastest male and female riders in the 85km Medio Gravel fondo for masters.

2000 riders took part in the event, with those finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category automatically qualify to participate in UCI Gravel World Championships next October in Belgium.