The second edition of the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships took place over the weekend, running from Le Bandie to Pieve di Soligo in Veneto, Italy.
Gravel privateers and road pros mixed it in the peloton on Saturday and Sunday with the latter coming out on top as Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) and Matej Mohorič (Slovenia) prevailed with long-range solo efforts.
The racing action brought to the fore a number of storylines and talking points, from the aforementioned pro domination to the lack of women's TV coverage, the Worlds' place in the calendar, and how road pros coped with a new experience.
Cyclingnews was on the ground at the races to document all the action via our comprehensive gravel news and report coverage. Photographers Les Morales and Chris Auld were also in Veneto to capture all the action as it unfolded.
Here, we present a selection of their best shots from both races at the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships. Enjoy!
Sign on time
Start line of the 140km women's elite race
The competition for the rainbow jersey begins, with the field split early
Sarah Sturm (USA) fighting on one of the climbs
Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands) was a watched rider after her Gravel European Championships win but the steep climbs delivered an extra challenge for the sprinter in Italy, but still she came fifth
Kasia Niewiadoma attacked from the lead group, finally going solo at about 20km to go
Silvia Persico (Italy) delivered a determined pursuit
As did Demi Vollering (Netherlands), with the pair coming to the finish together but the Italian just got her wheel over the line first
It was, however, a solo victory with time to celebrate for an elated Kasia Niewiadoma who swept up her first UCI victory since 2019 and a rainbow jersey in her very first gravel race
Kasia Niewiadoma all smiles after winning the Gravel World Championships
Kasia Niewiadoma seated at the finish line answering questions from the press
Demi Vollering after coming third
Demi Vollering congratulates an elated Kasia Niewiadoma
Then it was podium celebrations for Niewiadoma (first), Persico (second) and Vollering (third)
Silver medallist Silvia Persico, world champion Kasia Niewiadoma, and bronze medallist Demi Vollering
The men's peloton get their race underway on Sunday
Team USA prepare ahead of the race
A chase group traverses a gravel sector during the race
The dirt and the effort of the day showed on the rider's faces
Eventual winner Matej Mohorič leads the way at the head of the race
Battling across the gravel in Veneto required a huge amount of effort
The dust kicked up from the gravel roads coloured every rider's jersey and face
Fans lined the route to support the racers over the rough gravel sectors
The leaders out in front on the road to the finish
Veteran racer Alejandro Valverde was in action back among the pros
Great Britain's Connor Swift leads the way en route to his podium place
Belgian Wout van Aert endured a tough day out, suffering from mechanical troubles
Riders battled on the course in ones and twos
Mohoric prevailed in the end with a solo ride
Florian Vermeersch took second place for Belgium
Swift rounded out the podium in third place
The podium trio celebrate their accomplishments after the race
There was time after the finish for fans to get a photo with their idols, too
Mohoric, the new world champion, sprays the champagne
