The Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series made its latest stop in Sweden on Saturday with the Gravel Grit ‘n Grind in Halmstad. Over a challenging 154 km course, reigning European Champion Femke Markus dominated the women’s race, while Denmark’s Magnus Bak Klaris powered to victory in the men’s event. Belgium’s Lukas Malezsewski also left Sweden with plenty to celebrate, securing the overall Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series points title.
Markus Continues Winning Streak
Fresh from her recent UEC Gravel European Championship title, Femke Markus (NED) once again demonstrated her strength on the gravel roads of Scandinavia. The Dutch rider completed the 154 km course in 4h44m28s, crossing the finish line 57 seconds ahead of Sweden’s Caroline Bome.
Behind the leading duo, Elisa Serné (NED) secured third place at 2m18s. The Dutch rider proved fastest in a sprint among a select chase group that included Maaike Coljé (NED), Clara Koppenburg (GER), Anne van der Meeren (NED) and Nathalie Eklund (SWE).
The victory adds another impressive result to Markus’ outstanding 2026 campaign as she continues to cement her status among the world’s leading gravel racers.
Women’s Elite Top 3
🥇 Femke Markus (NED) – 4h44m28s
🥈 Caroline Bome (SWE) +57s
🥉 Elisa Serné (NED) +2m18s
4️⃣ Maaike Coljé (NED)
5️⃣ Clara Koppenburg (GER)
Klaris Leads Danish Success
The men’s elite race was animated from the outset and eventually saw Magnus Bak Klaris (DEN) as the strongest rider of the day in a similar race as the women elite.
Klaris crossed the finish line alone to claim victory, while Danish Sondre Rokke finished second, 51 seconds behind. The remaining podium place was decided in a sprint between four riders, with Fredrik Gustav Dahl (DEN) taking third ahead of compatriots Rasmus Bogh Wallin and Andreas Stokbro Nielsen.
Five Danish riders in the top five highlighted the strength of Danish gravel racing, with Klaris delivering an impressive performance to take one of the most prestigious victories of his season.
Men’s Elite Top 5
🥇 Magnus Bak Klaris (DEN)
🥈 Sondre Rokke (DEN) +51s
🥉 Fredrik Gustav Dahl (DEN)
4️⃣ Rasmus Bogh Wallin (DEN)
5️⃣ Andreas Stokbro Nielsen (DEN)
Malezsewski Crowned Gravelking Champion
While victory went to Klaris, sixth place was more than enough for Belgium’s Lukas Malezsewski to secure the overall Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series title.
Thanks to a season marked by consistency across multiple events, Malezsewski accumulated enough points to seal the crown at the end of the series. His performance in Halmstad confirmed his position at the top of the standings and rewarded a remarkable campaign against some of the strongest gravel riders in the world.
