Wörthersee Gravel Race victory goes to Austria!
Schönberger and Borghesi triumph at Wörthersee
April 7, 2024, Velden am Wörthersee – The first edition of the Wörthersee Gravel Race was an outstanding success, showcasing a remarkable number of participants in an exhilarating race on a breathtaking course, all accompanied by idyllic weather conditions.
With an impressive time of 04:00:23.3, Austrian Sebastian Schönberger secured the first place at the debut edition of the Wörthersee Gravel Race. Second place goes to Paul Voß from Germany. The third-place spot is claimed by Belgian Daan Soete.
The fastest woman, with a time of 04:28:36.3, is Giada Borghesi from Italy, followed by Geerike Schreurs from the Netherlands. Third place goes to Carolin Schiff from Germany.
Furthermore, the top 25% in each age group have qualified for the UCI Gravel World Championships in Belgium.
You can find all results in all categories online at this link: https://www.woerthersee-gravel.com/ergebnisse/
Race director Julius Rupitsch is pleased: “It’s amazing to see such a strong field of participants we had at the Wörthersee Gravel Race. I’m especially thrilled that an Austrian, Sebastian Schönberger, emerged as the winner.”
“Such a fantastic race with summer-like weather – it’s truly the best advertisement for the region!” says Roland Sint, CEO of the Wörthersee Rosental region.
Despite its debut year, the Wörthersee Gravel Race has gained tremendous popularity, with tickets selling out quickly. Due to overwhelming demand, the participant limit was even increased from 1,000 to 1,200.
As part of the prestigious Trek UCI Gravel World Series, the Wörthersee Gravel Race has quickly established itself as a pivotal event in the gravel biking circuit, attracting enthusiastic gravel bikers who view it as a qualifying race for the World Championships. The UCI Gravel World Series represents an exciting development in cycling, resonating globally and igniting enthusiasm across continents. Originating as a trend in the USA, gravel biking has captivated enthusiasts worldwide, leading to a thriving market for gravel events.
These races cater to both elite riders and amateuers, offering long-distance rides primarily on unpaved roads and trails with adventurous and often challenging routes set amidst natural landscapes.
The success of the Wörthersee Gravel Race underscores the growing allure of gravel biking and solidifies its position as a key player in the ever-evolving landscape of cycling events.
