CyclistThe best photos from the UCI Gravel World Championships 2024The third edition of the UCI Gravel World Championships took place in Belgium over the weekend. In its unconventional nature, the race sees elite pros, gravel specialists and a Finnish F1 driver all line up for glory in a tough race that takes the riders on gravel, cobbles and forest tracks.In the mens race, Mathieu van der Poel took the rainbow jersey. This makes him a world champion in three disciplines: road, cyclocross and now gravel. He soloed to victory ahead of Belgians Florian Vermeersch and Quinten Hermans. For the women, it was another box-ticking exercise for Marianne Vos, who added a gravel world title to her bumper list of accolades that includes track, cyclocross and road rainbow jerseys just MTB left. She defeated the defending UCI Road World Champion Lotte Kopecky in a two-up sprint. The bronze medal was won by Kopeckys road teammate Lorena Wiebes.Photographer James York was there over the weekend to capture the event in all its glory, behind trees in the Brabant Forest and at the finishing line in university city Leuven. Here are some of his best snaps from the races for the UCIs freshest rainbow jersey.Womens raceJames YorkThe route for all races started in Halle with a finish in Leuven. The opening phase of the race dabbled in gravel and forest around Flemish Brabant, not too far away from Brussels.James YorkOnly a week ago Lotte Kopecky was triumphant on the wet roads of Zrich in the UCI Road World Championships. She came to Leuven having never raced on gravel before.James YorkOne of the more unorthodox cycling arenas out there.James YorkAlison Jackson, former winner of Paris-Roubaix, leads the chase.James YorkGravel is all about the adventure.James YorkLotte Kopecky and Marianne Vos soon emerged as the two strongest riders in the womens race.James YorkMTB XCO World Champion Puck Pieterse was one of the cross-discipline stars in attendance.James YorkHow many victory salutes does Marianne Vos have left in her?James YorkKapow. Marianne Vos is truly the GOAT of womens cycling.James YorkIt wouldnt be gravel racing without some splatterings of mud.James YorkMarianne Vos is pretty comfortable in the post-race mixzone. Shes taken over 250 victories in a career that has spanned three decades.James YorkHeres the final podium. Two Dutch and a solitary Belgian.James YorkNo discipline is safe, whats next: mountain bike, BMX, artistic cycling, cycle ball? Related Posts Grand Tour 2025 route rumours: What we know so far The best photos from the UCI World Championships mens road race 2024 The best photos from the UCI World Championships womens road race 2024 The best photos from the Tour of Britain 2024 Mens raceJames YorkThe 2024 UCI World Gravel Championships were raced under sunshine. No puddles in view.James YorkSupporting Denmark and Belgium? Pick a side.James YorkSlovenia were the reigning champions courtesy of Matej Mohori. He finished in seventh place while recent Tour of Britain stage winner Matev Govekar finished in 13th.James YorkIn the UK, this could pass for a tarmac road.A family day out in the forest.James YorkQuinten Hermans looks a bit scuffed up by the mud.James YorkBritish gravel champion Connor Swift was flying the flag at the front end of the race this weekend. He finished in sixth place.James YorkMathieu van der Poel was always going to be a marked man. Florian Vermeersch was the only one to hold his wheel for a while.James YorkBut it wasnt long until the Dutchman launched one of his seismic attacks.James YorkEveryone wants a bike in the air shot these days.James YorkJames YorkThe bronze medal came down to a reduced sprint between Quinten Hermans, Jasper Stuyven, Gianni Vermeersch, Matej Mohori and Connor Swift.James YorkSome well-earned sit-down time.James YorkConnor Swift was the highest-placing Brit in the mens road race. Matthew Holmes finished in 40th, Zak Coleman 48th, Tom Martin 58th and Cameron Mason finished in 68th.James YorkThe #spiritofgravel (and a World Cup 1990-inspired German jersey)James YorkBlood, sweat and gears.James YorkA medal is essentially a glorified necklace, right?James YorkPlease rise for the national anthem of the Netherlands.James YorkMathieu van der Poel continues his rainbow streak with his eighth elite world title and his seventh in the last five years.James YorkYeah, maybe Ill do Unbound next year. Well wait and see. Related Posts Grand Tour 2025 route rumours: What we know so far The best photos from the UCI World Championships mens road race 2024 The best photos from the UCI World Championships womens road race 2024 The best photos from the Tour of Britain 2024 The post The best photos from the UCI Gravel World Championships 2024 appeared first on Cyclist.