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UCI Gravel World Championships 2024 tech gallery: Road, gravel and CX bikes, self-inflating tyres and incredible paintjobs
CyclistUCI Gravel World Championships 2024 tech gallery: Road, gravel and CX bikes, self-inflating tyres and incredible paintjobsWhile opinions are still split on the UCI Gravel World Championships, its here to stay. This years edition added two big ticks for the CVs of two of the most decorated riders of our time, and as usual it showed off some of the most interesting bike tech in professional cycling.Paris-Roubaix used to be the pinnacle of tech galleries but as road bikes have got more comfortable the choices at the Hell of the North have been standardised and its now disappointingly sponsor-correct. Thats where Gravel Worlds comes in, with a field consisting of riders from several disciplines. Most of the bikes and component choices are a surprise, and some of that old school Paris-Roubaix weirdness still remains. Peep Visma-Lease a Bike riders using an adjustable tyre pressure system.We sent photographer James York into the thick of the action in Belgium this weekend to not only capture the racing find that gallery here but to get a closer look at what the road, gravel, cyclocross and mountain bike riders were using.James YorkIts about time we had some Tour de Tietema on this website. Sadly TDT-Unibet rider Lander Loockxs day was ruined by punctures.James YorkGBs Connor Swift wasnt riding a gravel bike, he actually enlisted Pinarellos Dogma X endurance road bike.James YorkThe bikes official clearance is 35mm, so these 40mm Continental tyres were tight. Thankfully the course wasnt too muddy.James YorkHis shoes were even still white (ish) after his sixth place.James YorkJasper Stuyvens all-black Trek Checkpoint is a stunner. Yes OK colour on frames is good but look at it.James YorkHe had the new SRAM Red AXS XPLR groupset with a single 52t front chainring and a K-Edge chain catcher. Just about every rider was rocking a chain catcher unsurprisingly.James YorkHe had blip shifters on his drops too. For a hometown Worlds, theres no surprise Stuyven went to town on his setup. He ended up fourth.James YorkThere was an interesting mix of choices even from riders with access to the same equipment. Belgiums Tim Merlier, who came eighth, got his choice of Specialized tech as a Soudal-QuickStep rider and went with a Diverge, but without the rear suspension. Hes also one of many riders with prototype Specialized tyres.James YorkMattia de Marchis Basso Palta was one of the blingest bikes on display.James York It has Campagnolos Super Record Wireless road groupset rather than the Ekar gravel-specific groupset. James YorkJames YorkHes also got a pair of the Fulcrum Sharq allroad wheels.James YorkAfter riding the inaugural gravel worlds on a Canyon Ultimate, Mathieu van der Poel went full gravel for his win, with this shiny Canyon Grail.James YorkSemi-slicks for a course with lots of smooth surfaces.James York38mm tyres on the day for MVDP.James YorkYou wouldnt have caught Van der Poel racing with those double-decker bars.James YorkTiesj Benoot was one of a few Visma-Lease a Bike riders using a Gravaa adaptable tyre pressure system. James YorkIt could only help him to 18th.James YorkMainly flagging this one because the frame makes the wheels look massive.James YorkInsert meme of Jack Nicholson nodding. This is Lawrence Naesens bike and its very nice.James YorkLightweight Pfadfinder wheels and new Schwalbe G-One RS tyres hes gone for 45mm. Very bling. James YorkWho could this Colnago G4X belong to?James YorkSurprise. Now that is a proper jersey. Chapeau Simon.James YorkOver in the womens race, Lauren Stephens US champions bike isnt quite as loud as Kristen Faulkners road bike, but its sleek. Great disappearing hands there too.James YorkWith a nice personal touch.James YorkPuck Pieterse was on an all-black Canyon Grail to contract Van der Poels. She came fourth and could quite easily bag a rainbow jersey in four disciplines in her career. James YorkShimano-sponsored riders mainly went for Dura-Ace road groupsets rather than the GRX gravel groupset.James YorkA small bike.James YorkThe GOAT and new World Champions bike. Voss first elite world championships could legally buy alcohol in the UK, and shes still on top.James YorkShe was on Vittorias A Dugast cyclocross tyres.James YorkPerhaps the secret is having race notes upside down? Perhaps that was preparation for her Garmin ending up by her knees.James YorkVoss trade and country teammate, CX world champ Fem van Empel went for her cyclocross bike rather than a gravel bike, she finished back in 52nd.James YorkBritish national champion Annabel Fisher sadly DNFed but the bike is very nice. James YorkShe rides for the Classified-Ridley team so has the Classified Powershift hub.James YorkDanni Shrosbree was another British DNF with a lovely bike that includes Hunts new wheels.James YorkItalys multi-discipline star Silvia Persico rides for UAE Team ADQ so had a nice blue Colnago with Enve wheels and some very high aero socks.James YorkLidl-Treks Shirin van Anrooij had the same setup as Jasper Stuyven. James YorkPetition for this to be EFs new team colours. Alison Jackson came in 37th alongside Tiffany Cromwell.James YorkCyclist tech editor Sam Challiss favourite bike award goes too Rosa Klser. James YorkThe 2024 Unbound Gravel winner had a sensational looking Rose bike with gold details.James YorkAn extra 200km in this one may have helped, she finished 21st.James YorkSneaky bit of extra chunk in those handlebars.James YorkShe was running 45mm tyres. Stay tuned for more Rosa Klser content coming to this website soon, she has a great story.James YorkLast here but second in reality, its Lotte Kopeckys S-Works Crux.James YorkFresh from her incredible road world title last week, Kopecky couldnt outsprint Vos at the end but shell win this one year. Specialized can cover the label of its prototype tyres but when they say Pathfinder on them, its pretty obvious what they are. 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