The 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships for Men Elite witnessed a thrilling showdown, with Mathieu van der Poel emerging as the dominant force. Despite an early breakaway attempt, the race settled into a large group, including van der Poel and several other top contenders.
The decisive action unfolded in the final laps, where van der Poel and Florian Vermeersch battled for the lead. Vermeersch’s attack with 40 kilometers to go was countered by van der Poel, setting the stage for a head-to-head duel.
On the second to last climb, van der Poel delivered a decisive attack, quickly distancing himself from Vermeersch. With a comfortable lead, van der Poel cruised to his eighth world title in a third discipline, securing a dominant victory. Vermeersch, despite his valiant effort, finished second, a minute behind the winner.
The battle for bronze was equally intense, with Quinten Hermans outsprinting Jasper Stuyven, Gianni Vermeersch, Connor Swift, and Matej Mohoric to claim the third spot in a royal sprint in the city center of Leuven.
