The eyes of the European gravel community turn to the Belgian Ardennes on Sunday as Houffalize hosts the 2026 Bolero UEC Gravel European Championships. The iconic off-road destination welcomes a record-quality field for the fourth edition of the continental championships, with European titles at stake on a demanding circuit that promises to reward only the strongest riders.
At the heart of the challenge lies a brutal 47 km lap through the forests and hills surrounding Houffalize. Elite riders will tackle the circuit three times for a total of nearly 142 km and around 2,190 metres of climbing, while men aged 60-74 and women aged 50-64 complete two laps. Men over 75 and women over 65 will race one lap. The course features approximately 700 metres of elevation gain per lap and remains faithful to its most feared landmark: the Côte de Saint-Roch. The famous climb, reaching gradients of over 11%, comes immediately after the start and is expected to split the field from the very beginning.
Mads Würtz Schmid (DEN) will look to retain the men’s title he captured in 2025, while Erica Magnaldi (ITA) arrives as the defending women’s champion.
In the men’s race, the list of contenders is impressive. British powerhouse Connor Swift brings his vast experience from both road and gravel competition, while 2024 European champion Martin Stošek hopes to reclaim the title for the Czech Republic. Fellow Czech Petr Vakoc has been one of the most consistent performers on the gravel scene in recent seasons and is widely regarded as one of the pre-race favourites.
Lukas Pöstlberger (AUT) and Paul Voss (GER) add further depth to an already stacked field, while Belgium’s hopes rest largely on newly crowned national champion Daan Soete and cyclocross specialist Niels Vandeputte. Hugo Drechou (FRA) and Jonas Lindberg (DEN) have repeatedly demonstrated their strength on challenging gravel terrain.
The women’s race looks equally fascinating. Defending champion Erica Magnaldi (ITA) faces perhaps the strongest opposition ever assembled at a European Gravel Championship. Her Italian compatriot Silvia Persico brings world-class road credentials and explosive climbing ability, making her one of the biggest threats to Magnaldi’s title defence.
The Netherlands arrive with an impressive squad led by UCI Gravel World Series leader Wendy Oosterwoud together with top-level road riders Yara Kastelijn and Shirin van Anrooij. Their combination of climbing strength and technical skills could prove decisive on the Ardennes terrain.
Nicole Frain (AUS) returns to Houffalize after winning here last year. While the Australian cannot compete for the European title, she remains one of the strongest riders in the race and will undoubtedly influence how the women’s event unfolds. Other major contenders include Sophie Wright (GBR), Romy Kasper (GER), Carolin Schiff (GER), and Femke Markus (NED)
