The picturesque island of Sardegna played host to the second edition of the Italian UCI Gravel World Series this weekend, drawing a diverse international field to its new course. While the men’s elite race saw a remarkable display of German dominance, the women’s competition turned into an intense battle among Italian riders.
From the outset of the men’s race, it became clear that the German contingent was a force to be reckoned with. An early breakaway saw Tim Wollenberg, Lukas Baum, and Georg Egger, all from Germany, establish a lead. While Egger eventually lost contact with the leading duo towards half of the race, the front of the pack remained firmly under German control. In a thrilling sprint to the finish line in Siniscola, Wollenberg edged out his compatriot Baum, securing his first UCI Gravel World Series victory. The German dominance extended beyond the top two, with an astounding six German riders occupying the top six positions and eight within the top ten.
The women’s race unfolded as a captivating contest among Italian cyclists. The leading group in the first half consisted of five riders, including four Italians: Elena Cecchini, Barbara Guarischi, Carlotta Borello, and defending champion Debora Piana. Greek rider Varvara Fasoi rounded out the initial leading group but eventually lost contact in the second half of the race. Borello, Guarischi, and Cecchini managed to create a small gap, but Piana fought her way back into contention in the final stretches. In an exciting sprint to the line, Debora Piana repeated her victory from the previous year, beating Carlotta Borello. Barbara Guarischi secured the final spot on the podium, mirroring the top two finishers from the inaugural edition.
