The first Gravel World Championship was won on a road bike

Belgian Gianni Vermeersch has become the first UCI Gravel World Champion, but he did it on a road bike: the Canyon Ultimate CFR.

Gianni Vermeersch chose a Canyon Ultimate CFR to win the Gravel World Championship

The Alpecin-Deceuninck team shared a post the week before the World Championships suggesting that the Canyon Grizl would be the model used by its riders to race. It was Canyon's most non-racing gravel model, but even Mathieu van der Poel shared a pre-race workout on his Strava account on the bike.

On the day of the race it was confirmed that the final choice was a completely different one. Both Gianni Vermeersch and Mathieu van der Poel opted for a Canyon Ultimate CFR, a road model, configured for gravel terrain. A choice that seems more appropriate considering that the course was practically flat with no technical or very rough sections.

RECOMENDADO

25 cycling gifts ideas to get it right

Free alternatives to Zwift

When do helmets have to be changed? Do they have an expiration date?

Garmin Edge GPS range, which one to choose?

7 tips for cycling in the rain

Pogacar is the highest paid cyclist of 2024 and is proving why

One of the keys to this set-up is the choice of low-profile Shimano Dura-Ace C36 wheels with 33 mm tyres at the front and 35 mm tyres at the rear. This goes beyond Canyon's recommendations, which for this model indicate a maximum tyre size of 32 mm at the front.

Gianni Vermeersch's complete Canyon Ultimate CFR set-up

• Frame: Canyon Ultimate CFR, size S
• Handlebars: Canyon Aerocockpit CP0015 with Selle Italia tape
• Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2. 170 mm crankset with 52/36 power meter. Cassette 11-34
• Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Road 9100
• Wheels: Shimano Dura-Ace C36
• Tyres: Tubeless Victoria Terreno Dry TNT, 700×33 mm at front and 700×35 mm at rear
• Bottle cage: Elite Prism with Vittoria Pit Stop liquid sealant holder
• Saddle: Italia Flite Superflow