Aaron Van der Beken (Ridley) and Wendy Oosterwoud (PAS) won the inaugural Flanders Legacy Gravel, part of the UCI Gravel World Series. The Leuven gravel race is the first qualifying race for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, to be held in Australia.
In the women’s elite category, Oosterwoud claimed the victory with a time of 4:34:28 over the 147km course, besting her closest rivals by 23 seconds. Nathalie Bex won the sprint for second place ahead of Tessa Neefjes.
“Great way to end the season! Took the win today in Leuven! Will now take some time off of the bike and try to get back stronger next season,” Oosterwoud posted on Instagram.
Van der Beken sprinted to victory from a 12-rider lead group in the men’s elite race, crossing the line in 4:02:12. Mats Omloop (VolkerWessels) and Jan Bakelants followed in second and third, while Jody Bouts and Greg Van Avermaet rounded out the top five.
Just a week after the UCI Gravel World Championships in South Limburg (Netherlands), and a year after the 2024 Worlds in Leuven, the Flanders Legacy Gravel course returned to familiar roads, incorporating about 60% of the 2024 Worlds route. The race started in Heverlee, featured a new section through Wallonia, and ended once again in Leuven. Riders tackled three laps of the 48 km circuit, totalling 960 metres of elevation gain.
Position |
Rider |
Time |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Wendy Oosterwoud |
4:34:28 |
2 |
Nathalie Bex |
4:34:51 |
3 |
Tessa Neefjes |
4:34:52 |
4 |
Marjolein Van’t Geloof |
4:35:48 |
5 |
Hanne van Loock |
4:35:54 |
Position |
Rider |
Time |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Aaron Van der Beken |
4:02:12 |
2 |
Mats Omloop |
4:02:12 |
3 |
Jan Bakelants |
4:02:12 |
4 |
Jody Bouts |
4:02:12 |
5 |
Greg van Avermaet |
4:02:13 |
