2023-10-08 13:26:48
This Sunday took place for the second time in history Gravel World Championships, in Veneto (Italy). In the aftermath of the famous Tour of Lombardy, the transalpine trails were once again the scene of a 169km long confrontation, marked by nearly 1900 meters of positive altitude difference! After almost five hours of effort, it is Matej Mohoric who imposed himself in front of Florian Vermeersch et Connor Swift, a trio who had made the hole very early before halfway. Too strong in the final climbs, the Slovenian concluded the last 20 km alone and thus became the second World Champion in the discipline after Gianni Vermeersch in 2022. Alejandro Valverde finished at the foot of the podium, while Wout Van Aert managed to take 8th place despite his numerous setbacks at the start of the race.
Matej Mohoric gravel world champion… Van Aert far away!
A race quickly settled, bad luck for Wout Van Aert
With a start around 11 a.m. and in mild weather, the race began in perfect conditions. After barely an hour, a leading group has already broken away, composed in particular of Wout Van Aert and of Matej Mohoric. Caught shortly afterwards, the latter did not take long to pack up again alongside Florian Vermeersch, Connor Swift, Paul Voss, Alejandro Valverde et Cameron Mason. Clearly, no luck for Wout Van Aertwho is not on the right track on this World Championship after a fall and several punctures…
The good move seems, precisely, to be composed of Matej Mohoric, Connor Swift et Florian Vermeersch. With around forty kilometers remaining, this leading trio has a lead of 3.50′! In the San Vigilio, located 24 kilometers from the goal, Connor Swift cracks in the face of the pace imposed by the Slovenian. The Briton quickly lost several tens of seconds, while Mohoric et Vermeersch continue their journey as a duo, always counting more or less 4 minutes of margin. In the middle of the vines, a battle between these two competitors for the World title seems to be becoming inevitable…
Matej Mohoric untouchable in front of Vermeersch and Swift
But 20 kilometers from the finish line, Matej Mohoric flies into Le Serre, depositing Florian Vermeershwho, despite all his efforts, quickly sees the stage winner of the Tour de France disappear from his field of vision. While he had already lost 10 seconds to his opponent, the Belgian was the victim of a derailment which forced him to stop to repair this mechanical incident! An incident which definitively confirms the result of this 2023 edition: barring disaster, Matej Mohoric he race won with almost a minute in advance in the last 10 km. A disaster which is not far from arriving 3 kms from the finish with a slip and a fall fortunately without consequences. Despite this great fear, Mohoric heading towards a prestigious success deserved in view of its domination.
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