The 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships delighted local Dutch crowds as the riders from the Netherlands made the most of their strength in numbers and their knowledge of the terrain in South Limburg. The Oranje riders dominated proceedings at the fourth edition of the event, with Lorena Wiebes finally powering to the Women Elite victory on Saturday 11 October, the first day of competition.
No fewer than 17 titles of UCI World Champion were up for grabs with intense battles also unfolding in the following age groups: Women 19-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70-74, along with Men 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85+.
They all took on a demanding course divided in three parts, with a paved start from Beek, a 50km loop packing in most of the gravel sections, and the final stretch to Maastricht, where the winners were crowned throughout the afternoon.
Most attention turned to the Women Elite battle, raced over 131 kilometres. For the second year in a row, a versatile Oranje star ruled supreme, claiming the UCI Gravel World Champion title to go along with the rainbow jersey and many accolades she had already claimed across different categories both on the road and on the track.
While Vos enforced her skills and experience, Wiebes (bronze medallist in 2024) becomes the youngest UCI Gravel World Champion, at 26 years and 7 months. This time, Vos came second and Italy’s Silvia Persico rounded out the podium, adding another medal to her record after finishing 2nd in 2023.
Strength in numbers
A 104-woman peloton set off at 11am to battle through South Limburg. Local stars enforced a race of attrition in their attempts to claim the title again. As a group of five attackers led the way into the last 50 kilometres, Germany’s Romy Kasper was surrounded by the Oranje jerseys of Marianne Vos, Lorena Wiebes, Femke Gerritse and Maud Rijnbeek.
Dutch women were also out in number in the chase group, from which Italy’s Silvia Persico tried several times to jump across. With the support of Czechia’s Julia Kopecky, she brought the gap down to 12’’ with 22km remaining…
That was the moment Vos and Wiebes went clear at the front of the race, potentially setting a stellar duel for rainbow glory on the final stretch heading to Maastricht. But Persico kept on impressing to bridge the gap to them on her own, 17 kilometres away from the line. Six more contenders joined the front group moments later, with Kopecky and five Oranje jerseys including that of Shirin van Anrooij.
Vos accelerated again on the final – and hardest – climb of the day, Bronsdalweg (1km at 7.2%). But it was not enough to make the decisive split as the race entered the last 15km.
Van Anrooij surprised her rivals with a strong kick 13 kilometres away from the finish. She rapidly opened up a gap of 20’’ but Kopecky and then Yara Kastelijn (the Netherlands) drove the chase, until the leader was caught inside the last 500 metres. Unstoppable on the road in recent weeks, Wiebes unleashed her speed to sprint to victory ahead of Vos and Persico.
The races for Men Elite and the remaining age-group categories will take place on Sunday 12 October.