A total of 1,800 riders took to the start of the UEC Gravel European Championships in Houffalize on Sunday, tackling a demanding 47 km circuit through the Ardennes. In the elite races, Denmark’s Mads Würtz Schmid successfully defended his European title after a long solo ride, while the women’s race was decided in a sprint, with Dutch rider Femke Markus securing the European crown.
Würtz Schmid solos to back-to-back European titles
The men’s elite race quickly took shape as four riders got away from the rest: defending champion Mads Würtz Schmid (DEN), Belgian mountainbiker Wout Alleman, Italian Jakob Dorigoni and Frenchman Eddy Le Huitouze.
The leading quartet established itself early on, but the decisive move came during the second lap. With more than 50 kilometres still remaining, Würtz Schmid accelerated clear of his companions. Behind him, the chase group fragmented, leaving Alleman as the only rider capable of limiting the damage.
The Belgian remained within striking distance at roughly one minute for much of the race, but Würtz Schmid never looked in danger. The Dane crossed the finish line in Houffalize after a dominant solo effort, averaging 34.3 km/h and defending the European title he won a year earlier.
Alleman secured the silver medal, finishing 1 minute 09 seconds behind the winner. Further back, an exciting battle unfolded for the final podium position. Belgian cyclocross specialist Niels Vandeputte, who had spent much of the race in a chasing group fighting for fourth place, managed to bridge across to Le Huitouze in the streets of Houffalize before distancing the Frenchman to claim bronze at 3 minutes 43 seconds.
Le Huitouze had to settle for fourth, while Switzerland’s Casey South rounded out the top five.
Men Elite
- Mads Würtz Schmid (DEN)
- Wout Alleman (BEL) +1:09
- Niels Vandeputte (BEL) +3:43
- Eddy Le Huitouze (FRA) + 3:48
- Casey South (SUI) + 4:02
Markus takes sprint victory after thrilling Dutch-French battle
The women’s elite race followed a remarkably similar script, with four riders establishing an early breakaway. French champion Axelle Dubau-Prévot was joined by a powerful Dutch trio consisting of Shirin van Anrooij, Femke Markus and Larissa Hartog.
The race remained closely contested throughout. A key moment occurred when Markus lost ground after a mistake in a muddy section, temporarily reducing the group at the front. Van Anrooij then launched an attack with approximately eight kilometres remaining and managed to open a small gap, only for Dubau-Prévot to close it again.
As Markus fought her way back to the leading group, Dubau-Prévot attempted to make the race as selective as possible in the closing kilometres. The French rider launched several efforts in search of a solo victory, but none proved decisive.
The race ultimately came down to a sprint between the three strongest riders. Markus proved the fastest by a comfortable margin to secure the European title, with compatriot Van Anrooij taking silver and Dubau-Prévot earning bronze.
Hartog finished fourth at 23 seconds, while Swiss rider Elena Hartmann completed the top five at 3 minutes 23 seconds. Markus averaged 28.8 km/h on her way to victory.
Women Elite
- Femke Markus (NED)
- Shirin van Anrooij (NED)
- Axelle Dubau-Prévot (FRA)
- Larissa Hartog (NED) +0:23
- Elena Hartmann (SUI) +3:23
With 1,800 participants competing across all age categories on the challenging Ardennes course, Houffalize once again provided a spectacular setting for European gravel racing, crowning worthy champions after two races shaped by early breakaways and decisive moves among the sport’s strongest riders.
