The third edition of the Gralloch, UK’s biggest gravel event in the Galloway Forrest attracted 2392 riders from 35 countries at the start to enjoy the worldclass course.
In the women elite field, Noemie Thomson broke away on the first hill to build up a nearly 2.5-minute lead halfway the race. A chase group of 4 formed behind with Tessa Neefjes, Lizi Brooke, Sophie Wright and Ffion Gilbert. Thomson then crashed with 14km to go which gave the group behind the chance to close the gap in the final paved section to finally decide on the victory in a 4-women sprint (Thomson finally finishing seventh). Neefjes won ahead of Gilbert, Wright and Brooke in that order.
The men’s race saw an early attack from the duo Petr Vakoc and Ben Thomas that was steadily built up towards halfway the race when Vakoc had a puncture and two riders came back, including Matthew Holmes, already winner in Portugal earlier this season and Benjamin Perry. In a 4-men sprint, Holmes started early but was passed by Vakoc on the line with Perry rounding out the podium and Thomas finishing fourth.
