The last UCI Gravel qualifier in 2025, taking place in Alentejo in Portugal this weekend was an instant success as the inaugural event attracted some 800 riders at the start.
Two Belgians ruled in the men elite race, breaking away just after halfway in the race. It was Lukas Malezsewski outsprinting Daan Grosemans on the line in Ourique for his second UCI Gravel Word Series win after also winning in a sprint in Kenya in June. Local rider Andrew Henriques finished third, two minutes behind the leaders. Joao Pastagem (POR) and Travis Bramley (GBR) completed the top five.
In the women’s race, German Rosa Klöser crushed the rest of the peloton with a commanding 12 minute lead over Dutch Tessa Neefjes with Spanish Marta Mila finishing third at 25 minutes. First Portuguese rider was Ana Caramelo in fourth with Spanish Belen Morales as fifth.
