UCI Gravel World Series: Nicole Frain best in three-rider women's sprint while Jarno Bellens goes solo to win elite men's race at Turnhout Gravel

At the UCI Gravel World Series event in Turnhout, Belgium, Nicole Frain emerged victorious in the elite women's race, besting Anne Knijnenburg and Wendy Oosterwoud in a tight three-rider sprint finish. In the men's elite category, Jarno Bellens secured a solo victory, crossing the line ahead of the chasing peloton. These results mark significant wins for both riders in the burgeoning UCI Gravel Series calendar.

This particular Gravel World Series event holds importance as riders continue to accumulate points for qualification to the UCI Gravel World Championships later in the year. For Frain, a former Australian national road champion, this gravel success demonstrates a versatile transition, while Bellens' solo effort highlights the tactical nuances and physical demands of these off-road races. The series itself is still finding its footing, but each event contributes to shaping the competitive landscape of professional gravel racing.

Frain's sprint and Bellens' solo effort underscore the diverse skill sets now required in professional cycling. While the UCI continues to define gravel, the riders are certainly making it their own.