The TRK UCI Gravel World Series’ first ever visit to Britain was a huge success.
The Gralloch took place in Galloway Forest Park on Saturday with Gatehouse providing the base for the Red:On organised event.
More than 1,000 riders from more than 30 countries entered the race to tackle the challenging 113km route.
And first woman home was Australian Tiffany Cromwell, with England’s Connor Swift first man.
The women’s race began first and a pack of seven emerged at the front, including Canyon//SRAM rider Cromwell.
She followed Nikki Brammeier of Muddita on one of the descents but when the former British cyclocross champ punctured, she was left on her own.
As she tackled the final climb, Cromwell was caught by Swift – whose race had started 40 minutes after the women – but he overtook her on the final climb.
Cromwell was first woman, with Amelia Mitchell second and Svenja Betz of Maxx-Solar Rose Women taking third in a three woman sprint to the line.
Cromwell said: “I slightly surprised myself because I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and I knew there were some strong women here. But then after 20km I found myself by myself and I was like ‘okay, here we go’.
“This was after I got dropped on the first climb because whenever it’s a hard start it never favours me because I take a little bit of time to warm up, but I knew I was better on the downhills and I was able to catch back on the first downhill, and it was Nikki Brammeier going hard on the downhills, which I enjoyed, and then it was me Nikki and Heidi (Franz).
“I knew on the downhill I was always going to make time and on the flat section its was just a case of keeping the power on the pedals. I focussed on my fuelling and got into a really good rhythm and I never really dropped off.
When asked about the course, Cromwell added: “It was really nice. It had a bit of everything there was some really fast gravel there was some pretty tough stuff to get through. But I liked it, that’s what gravel should be, a good gravel course should be a mixture of everything.
“The climbs were never too challenging but hard enough, the downhills were also challenging but not too hard, it’s a course that really anybody could ride, some at the edge of their limits others comfortable, but it’s really nice, and when I had a chance to look at the views there were some beautiful views. But there wasn’t a lot of time for that!”
The route was 90 per cent off course, with more than 1,800m of climbing.
The men’s riders stayed together longer than the women, a large group emerging over the second third.
Swift was an ever present and when he attacked halfway through, he quickly built his lead.
Chasing him were Sam Culverwell of Dolan Elesse RT and Kevin Panhuyzen of Giant Liv Benelux, as well as Olympic gold medal winning triathlete Alistair Brownlee. However, when the latter suffered a puncture the podium was settled, Vulverwell edging out Panhuyzen by a second.
Winner Swift said: “I’m pretty chuffed with that. It was my first ever gravel race, I got my bike built on Wednesday so it was my third ever ride on the bike and it was mega.
“The course was great, I probably committed to my effort a little bit too soon and I did didn’t get to enjoy all of the scenery because I was going pretty deep, but the route was amazing. That was a proper gravel race. We touched the roads just a couple of times, we had a mega day with the weather, a cracking race and I really enjoyed being here and pulling off the win just tops it off really.”
The race was a qualifier for this year’s World Gravel Championships and Galloway Cycling Holidays played a key part in bringing it to the region.
It was supported by Gatehouse Community Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Forestry Land Scotland and Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Almost 1,100 riders signed up, with 861 starting. Among them was F1 star Valterri Bottas – partner of women’s winner Cromwell – who took advantage of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being cancelled to finish 114th.
Crowds many rows deep enjoyed seeing the start and finish straight in Gatehouse, with local businesses doing a roaring trade as fans enjoyed the action, including a special fanzone on Friday and Saturday.
And there was extra joy for Cromwell and Swift as their success means animals at Gledpark Deer Farm will be named after them.
