Gravel racing is definitely on the rise, with national, European championships, world championships, and countless competitions popping up for both pros and amateurs. But let’s be clear: it will never mean the end for cyclocross. Jan Bakelants, a former pro who’s now all about gravel, thinks there’s a chance it could, but many in the cycling community are ready to push back.
Bakelants has jumped headfirst into gravel racing since hanging up his road bike. “It appeals to a lot of pros because it’s just different enough from what they do every day,” he said. While road racing can get stale—especially in Belgium, where the routes can be pretty dull—gravel offers a fresh take that many cyclists are embracing.
The excitement around gravel racing was palpable at the world championships in Leuven, where big names like Mathieu van der Poel and Lotte Kopecky showed up in force. Bakelants points to the diverse lineup as evidence that gravel and ‘cross can coexist. “You have top riders like Van der Poel, cyclocrossers like Iserbyt, and marathon mountain bikers all coming together,” he noted.
Many have pointed out that riders like Van der Poel and Kopecky will most likely do limited gravel races—in fact, maybe just the marquee events like the worlds. Granted, the gravel scene in the USA has thrived with races like Unbound attracting thousands of riders from the pro level to enthusiasts, but don’t be fooled; ‘cross isn’t going anywhere.
Sven Nys, a cyclocross legend, isn’t buying into the hype. In a response on X , he stated, “You underestimate the impact of cyclocross as a sport. It will never be overtaken by gravel.” Cyclocross has a unique charm and a passionate following, especially in Flanders, where the sport runs deep in the culture.
Beste Jan. Je onderschat de impact van veldrijden als sport. Ze zal nooit worden ingenomen door gravel. De komende jaren zullen aantonen dat je de bal misslaat. Gravel is gewoon een mooie toevoeging aan de wielersport in een periode van feb tot okt voor iedereen.
— Sven Nys (@sven_nys) October 5, 2024
The two sports, despite using similar bikes and both going on mixed surfaces, really aren’t the same either, are they? ‘Cross is an intense race just under an hour—gravel is hours and hours long. Gravel racing has followed the marathon running model—and the reason for its success and popularity is that road racing can be tough if you’re not in the pack. In a road race, you’re…
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