The inaugural Trek UCI Gravel World Series leg in Champéry, Switzerland, last Saturday, was a challenging test of endurance and climbing prowess. Starting in Monthey and culminating in the Alpine ski resort of Champéry, the 97km race offered breathtaking views but punishing terrain.
In the women’s race, Sina Frei, mainly known for her mountainbike performances as Vice Olympic Champion in Tokyo 2020 but also vice World Champion in the very first UCI Gravel World Championships, showcased her dominance. Riding on home turf, Frei secured a commanding victory, finishing 19 minutes ahead of American Morgan Aguirre. British rider Annabel Fisher claimed third place, 20 minutes and 45 seconds behind Frei.
The men’s race was more exciting as it ended with a three-men sprint. French mountain bike specialist Hugo Drechou grabbed the win, outpacing Czech rider Petr Vakoc and Norwegian Andre Roed Torbjorn to claim his first UCI Gravel World Series win.
With the Alpine Gravel Challenge complete, riders now have two more opportunities to qualify for the World Championships: Wales and Northern Spain, both taking place in two weeks. The global gravel community will then converge on Belgium for the highly anticipated UCI Gravel World Championships.
