Bak Klaris Wins Gravel World Title in Nannup Photo Finish

Magnus Bak Klaris (DEN) won the UCI Gravel World Championships men’s elite race after 144km in 4h09’05”. The photofinish left no doubt about first place, but second was far tighter: defending champion Florian Vermeersch (BEL) took silver and Connor Swift (GBR) bronze, with Mads Wurtz Schmid (DEN) fourth. It is the first world title for Bak Klaris, who also won the last qualifier in Halmstad (SWE) two weeks ago.

An early break, then the Danes take control

The race opened with an early attack from three riders: Lukas Postlberger (AUT), Jenson Young (GBR) and Peter Schulting (NED). They built a lead of almost three minutes. Behind them, a large group led by the Danish team, working for Wurtz Schmid and Bak Klaris, steadily pulled the gap down and caught the escapees with 20km to go.

Swift fires on the last climb

The decisive move came on the day’s last serious climb, Foley. Swift attacked and was followed by Bak Klaris, Wurtz Schmid and Petr Vakoc (CZE). Vermeersch stayed close behind with Keegan Swenson (USA), and Stan Dewulf (BEL), Martin Stosek (CZE) and Paul Voss (GER) were also in the mix. Schulting and Matthew Beers fought their way back in the final 10km.

Four go clear

The race then split apart, and a group of four got away: Bak Klaris, Wurtz Schmid, Vermeersch and Swift. Wurtz Schmid had a small crash, but he closed the gap and rejoined the leaders.

A sprint decided by the photofinish

The four reached the line together, and the sprint went to the photofinish. Bak Klaris took the rainbow jersey, while Vermeersch edged Swift for second in a very close finish. Wurtz Schmid was credited with the same time in fourth.

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