UEC Gravel European Championships in Asiago will be a qualifier for Nice 2025

On 13 October, the 2024 UEC Gravel European Championships will take place in Asiago, Italy. Participants at the start in Veneto can immediately qualify for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships in Nice.

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This makes Asiago 2024 the first qualifier on the calendar for the battle for the rainbow jersey in 2025, just one week after the 2024 World Championships.

Next week, on Sunday 13 October, we will discover the new European gravel champions in no fewer than 16 categories. All Elite riders and riders with a UCI ID who start in Asiago can immediately qualify for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships, which will be held in Nice.

Anyone finishing in the top 25% of their age category in Asiago or at least the top 3 of every category can secure their ticket for Nice 2025 on the spot. This makes Asiago the first qualifier on the calendar and the only one in Europe before the end of this year. For those aiming for Nice 2025, participation in Asiago offers the chance to secure their spot a year in advance.

The course of the 2024 UEC Gravel European Championships in Asiago, Veneto consists of a local loop of 51 km with 800 meters of elevation gain. Depending on the category or race, participants will complete one or more laps. The Men Elite race is 153 km long, while the Women's race is 102 km.

The route winds through the unique landscape of the Asiago Altipiano, the largest plateau in Italy, surrounded by mountains. Short, steady climbs alternate with fun and fast descents. Midway through the loop, there is one long climb of 7 km, covering 300 meters of elevation gain. After a short descent, there is another uphill stretch of 6 km, leading to the ‘roof’ of the course at 1,350 meters above sea level. The second half of the course is primarily downhill.

Asiago Gravel Open Race

Even those without a UCI ID can enjoy a day of gravel riding in Asiago. After all 16 categories eligible for the European title have started in different waves, there will be a mass start for participants in the Asiago Gravel Open Race. They will ride the exact same course as the European Championships participants, completing two laps in total. Since they are not competing for a European title, they logically cannot qualify for Nice 2025.

Registration is open until Wednesday, 9 October (23:59) via the website www.asiagogravel2024.com.

Top names at the start of the 2024 UEC Gravel European Championships

The start list currently features the names of Greg Van Avermaet, Paul Voss and Carolin Schiff, among others.

Greg Van Avermaet’s name evokes wonderful memories for many cycling fans. After victories at the Olympic road race in Rio de Janeiro, Paris-Roubaix, Omloop het Nieuwsblad, Gent-Wevelgem and many other classics, Golden Greg ended his road racing career at the end of last year. He has since turned his attention with great enjoyment to gravel racing, including the European Championships in Asiago.

The German Paul Voss has a history in road racing and cyclo-cross, but the highpoint of his career has been on gravel. After a long 80 km solo, he took the Traka 200 title last year. A couple of months later, he finished 3rd at the 2023 UEC Gravel European Championships behind Jasper Stuyven and Tim Merlier. Let’s see if the German can do even better this year!

Germany’s Carolin Schiff has a lot in common with Paul Voss. Not only do they work together on the podcast AUT SAID, but she also won the Traka 200 in 2023. A few weeks ago, Schiff became German gravel champion for the second time. On 13 October, she will undoubtedly be doing everything she can to claim the European title as well.

Italy’s Letizia Borghesi will also be making her way to the picturesque Veneto. Wearing the colours of American EF – Oatly – Cannondale, she notched up some impressive results in the spring classics. With a stage win in the 2019 Giro d’Italia under her belt, Borghesi will be eager to fight for victory once again in her home country.

Next up in the battle for the European champion’s jersey on Italy’s gravel roads is Tessa Neefjes. After a horrific accident in 2016, she has slowly but surely climbed her way back to the top. 2022 was an absolute dream year for her when she won both the Dutch mountain bike marathon and the European beach racing championship.

Annabel Fisher will also be lining up at the start in Asiago. The British cyclist has already put together an impressive string of six consecutive podium finishes in gravel races this year. This run of success included victories at the Octopus Gravel in Switzerland and in the British Championships.

Last but not least, Asbjørn Hellemose will also be at the start. The 25-year-old Dane first showed what a talent he is in 2021 with a 5th place in the general classification in the Giro U23. In 2023, he competed in numerous World Tour races, including the UAE Tour and the Tour of Lombardy. Hellemose has already made his mark in a number of UCI Gravel races. Will a win at the European Gravel Championships be the next highlight?

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