Just one week after the World Gravel Championships took place, the European Gravel Championships were held in Asiago, in Italy’s Veneto region. Veneto is well known for its beautiful scenery and amazing gravel riding and was the host of the World Championships in 2022 and 2023. Jorge Padrones was one of the many hundreds of racers lining up in the starting grid and sent in this great ride report.

For this important race, the organisation had prepared a 50 km loop which contained 800 m of climbing. The riders would have to cover 1, 2 or 3 laps depending on their category and age group. The loop was one of the most varied and beautiful you can have in these types of races. The first part of the course was muddy due to the rain the previous week and on those first 10 km there were parts that resembled a cyclocross course. After that first technical muddy bit there was a long 10 Km climb, a beautiful ascent through a forest. At the top of the climb there was a flat ridge with breathtaking views over the Veneto region, then it was back to the start with a fast descent on gravel paths with some tarmac and more rocky sections. The last part of the course used an old railway line converted into a gravel cycle path. It was a fast approach to Asiago, even though the route climbed constantly as it returned to the start/finish line.

The finish line route itself in Asiago was impressive, as after a fast corner there was a long street set up for the sprints. Also, the ambience was up to European Championship standards with a lot of spectators everywhere. Special mention to those on the top of the climb that had created an improvised feed station and were giving cups of beer to the participants while shouting and supporting riders with loud music.

Italy is a country with a huge and ancient cycling tradition. You can tell it in any race or cycling event you attend and this was not different. Participating in a European Championship is something special. There are those races that you can feel are special given the importance of the title that is up for grabs. Anybody can join and enjoy being part of these championships, as there is no need to qualify to race in the European championships (unlike the World Championships).

This year almost 200 riders signed up for the Elite men’s category. The age group categories were not as numerous, but everybody coming to the race was there with a mission, trying to be as fast as possible. The level of the participants was very high and the fight for the European championship jersey was ferocious. Very sadly, one of the riders passed away after suffering a heart attack while racing, so the race was stopped for some categories. The authorities stopped the races that hadn't finished at the moment in which this happened, so only the Elites and the categories with one or two lap races were able to finish the race. 

In the Elite category, Sina Frei and Martin Stosek were the winners of the women’s and men’s categories respectively and will be wearing the European stars gravel jersey during the next year. 

Apart from the tragic death, we had a beautiful gravel race in which we could feel the competition and the positions were decided by sprinting on the finish line for every small group arriving. I would like to mention the discovery of the Asiago area as a gravel and cycling destination, with numerous and never-ending climbs, quiet roads and numerous gravel paths - this area has without doubt all we as gravel cyclist love to have. Also, this time of the year seems to be the perfect one, as the weather is mild and the landscape is beautiful as the forests show an endless catalogue of colours, with all the different tones of red & brown in their falling leaves. 

Images courtesy of @UEC/Gaëten Flamme