Traka 200 winner Mads Würtz Schmidt (PAS Racing) claimed his fourth UCI Gravel World Series round of the season, taking another solo victory in the men's elite category this time at Houffa Gravel in Belgium.
In the women’s elite category, Nicole Frain (Ridley) soloed to her first win in the series, crossing the line with a decisive 10-minute lead over her closest rival. After two successive runner-up placings, the Australian rider had made it to the top step.
Frain, the 2022 Australian Road National Champion who came second at Houffa last year, this time had plenty of time to celebrate as she crossed the line with a time of 5:07:28 on the 141km course. Esmée Peperkamp (Picnic-PostNL) was second, with a time of 5:17:40 while Wendy Oosterwoud (PAS Racing) rounded out the podium.
In the men’s race, a group of six, which included Würtz Schmidt and Loman Mathijs (SWATT Club), made the first selection early in the race.
“After about 25k we had a short technical and bumpy section where I went in first. Coming out of the section I looked back and saw a gap of 50-70 meters. Decided to put my head down and go for it,” Würtz Schmidt shared on Instagram.
“Back to the winning ways on the trails,” he added. “I love The Ardennes in Belgium. So was thrilled to race here in Houffalize.”
Mathijs crossed the line over three minutes back for second place. Third was Belgian Kevin Panhuyzen (Giant Liv Benelux off-road), 1:07 from Mathijs.
Held in and around Houffalize, well-known for many years as a venue for UCI Mountainbike World Cups, the Houffa Gravel course was redesigned this year in preparation for the 2026 European Gravel Championship. Compared to 2024, this course featured fewer technical downhills but was still challenging with 700m of elevation per 47km lap, completed three times.
The steepest climb of the day came quickly after the start with the famous Rue du Saint Roch, one of the steep road climbs during Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The first gravel section followed after 5km. A total of 70% of the route is off-road.
Position |
Rider |
Time |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Mads Würtz Schmidt |
4:21:45 |
2 |
Loman Mathijs |
4:24:57 |
3 |
Kevin Panhuyzen |
4:26:04 |
4 |
Floris van Tricht |
4:27:19 |
5 |
Aaron van der Beken |
4:28:31 |
Position |
Rider |
Time |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Nicole Frain |
5:07:28 |
2 |
Esmee Peperkamp |
5:17:40 |
3 |
Wendy Oosterwoud |
5:19:04 |
4 |
Floor van Elsacker |
5:19:17 |
5 |
Marjet Groen |
5:19:18 |
