The Leuven Legacy Gravel returned yesterday with a spectacular edition on parts of the course that hosted the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships. With a record-breaking 2,140 registered riders from 38 different nationalities lining up in and around Leuven, the event once again confirmed its status as one of the flagship rounds of the Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series.
A large front group of more than twenty riders remained together deep into the race in the men elite before two Belgians, Kamiel Notebaert and Olivier Godfroid, launched the decisive move with approximately 60 kilometres remaining. The pair worked smoothly together through the rolling gravel sectors and technical passages of the final two laps, gradually extending their advantage to just over one minute as they crossed the line to begin the final circuit.
Behind them, a strong chasing group featuring several of the pre-race favourites struggled to organise an effective pursuit. As the finish approached, however, the gap rapidly came down and the leaders saw their advantage almost disappear in the final kilometres. Despite the pressure from behind, Notebaert and Godfroid managed to stay clear until the finish line, where Notebaert proved the faster of the two in the sprint to claim victory.
For Notebaert, the triumph marks his second victory in the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series following his success at Gravel One Fifty earlier this season. Godfroid had to settle for second place after a courageous long-range attack, while the chasing group contested the final podium position. Jonas de Fruytier emerged fastest in that sprint to complete an all-Belgian podium, finishing ahead of professional road riders Lander Loockx and Arnaud De Lie at just 5 seconds behind the winner.
The women’s elite race unfolded in a very different fashion. Rather than a long-distance attack, the race remained controlled throughout much of the afternoon as a sizeable lead group navigated the Leuven course together. The continual pace gradually reduced the contenders until only four riders remained in contention for victory entering the final kilometres.
In a closely fought sprint finish, Belgian national champion Nathalie Bex timed her effort perfectly to take the win in front of the home crowd. Dutch rider Maaike Coljé finished second, while Germany’s Jil Brünger crossed the line in third. Belgium’s Hanne van Loock completed the lead quartet after an impressive ride among a highly competitive field. Eléonore Hiller completed the top five at 30 seconds.
With record participation numbers, a highly international field and exciting racing on the iconic World Championship course, Leuven Legacy Gravel once again demonstrated why it has become one of the standout events on the global gravel calendar.
Elite Men
- 🇧🇪 Kamiel Notebaert
- 🇧🇪 Olivier Godfroid +2s
- 🇧🇪 Jonas de Fruytier +5s
- 🇧🇪 Lander Loockx +5s
- 🇧🇪 Arnaud De Lie +5s
Elite Women
- 🇧🇪 Nathalie Bex
- 🇳🇱 Maaike Coljé
- 🇩🇪 Jil Brünger
- 🇧🇪 Hanne van Loock
- 🇧🇪 Eléonore Hiller +30s
