{"id":69787,"date":"2024-10-06T17:44:18","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T15:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/1505a776-0d66-4c0b-b6d0-58f745354ff4"},"modified":"2024-10-06T19:25:25","modified_gmt":"2024-10-06T17:25:25","slug":"van-der-poel-finally-uses-a-gravel-bike-for-a-gravel-race-and-wins-on-it","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/van-der-poel-finally-uses-a-gravel-bike-for-a-gravel-race-and-wins-on-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Van der Poel finally uses a gravel bike for a gravel race \u2013 and wins on it"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alpecin\u2013Deceuninck rider uses road bike groupset and slick tyres en route to victory in Leuven <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Sunday, 06 October 2024 at 15:44 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Mathieu van der Poel won the 2024 Men’s UCI Gravel World Championships aboard a custom-painted Canyon Grail CFR.<\/p>

2022\u2019s inaugural UCI Gravel World Championships ruffled the feathers of die-hard gravel fans when some racers \u2013 including Van der Poel \u2013 raced on their road bikes<\/a> with minimal changes required for the fine gravel that Italy provided.<\/p>

Mathieu van der Poel soloed to victory in Leuven. DAVID PINTENS\/BELGA MAG\/AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
However, 2024\u2019s route was technical enough for gravel bikes<\/a> to be required, with few opting for road bikes.<\/p>
Speaking to BikeRadar at the start, Van der Poel recognised the tougher terrain: “The course is quite rough in places, particularly through the middle section.”<\/p>
$\"\"$
Most road pros ported their groupset over from their road setup Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
His setup, however, shows how close World Tour racers like to keep their setup to the road bikes they know so well.<\/p>
Van der Poel opted for his standard Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 Di2 groupset<\/a>, with the only change coming at the chainrings<\/a>.<\/p>
His usual 54\/40t combination was swapped for a smaller 52t outer. Officially, this should be paired with a 36t chainring, but we think it looks more like a 39t.<\/p>
$\"\"$
These cranks have seen some miles Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The wheels comprise Dura-Ace hubs laced to unbranded rims. <\/p>
Given the Dutchman typically rides with Shimano wheels, we expect these may be borrowed from Shimano\u2019s gravel range to provide a wider internal width.<\/p>
$\"\"$
The Terreno Zero was a popular choice on course. Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Speaking of which, Vittoria\u2019s Terreno Zero<\/a> was the choice of the day in a 38mm size. <\/p>
These tyres are the slickest in Vittoria\u2019s gravel range, but with minimal mud on the course, excessive tread wasn\u2019t needed.<\/p>
While snapping photos of the bike, Alpecin\u2019s mechanic told us Van der Poel is not running inserts, and that he never does, instead opting for a relatively high 3.5Bar \/ 50psi tyre pressure<\/a>.<\/p>
Such a high pressure seems excessive. However, given the dry conditions, Van der Poel was likely looking for the fastest setup possible.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Aero matters, even on gravel Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Aerodynamics is as much part of the pursuit of speed in gravel as on the road.<\/p>
Van der Poel used a set of Spatz Windsock 2 shoe covers. Naturally, he had a gleaming white pair with branding from sponsor, Zwift.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Flared drops mean canted in levers are still in line with the drops, therefore remaining UCI legal Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The front end of the bike showed further chasing of aero savings. <\/p>
Sat on a fully integrated CP0039 cockpit, Van der Poel had his levers canted inwards at quite an angle.<\/p>
The UCI\u2019s hood angle rules<\/a> still apply, but riders can get away with more aggressive-looking setups thanks to modern flared drops.<\/p>
$\"\"$
The gorgeous iridescent paint looked different from every angle Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
While there were still riders opting for road bikes at this year\u2019s event, these choices appeared to be made out of necessity. <\/p>
Though some will remain unhappy until the rainbow bands are awarded to the winner of Unbound Gravel<\/a> \u2013 gravel racing’s premier event \u2013 for a rider of Van der Poel\u2019s calibre and handling skills to choose a gravel bike suggests the UCI has started to design World Championship courses worthy of the ‘gravel’ name.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Mathieu van der Poel soloed to victory in Leuven. DAVID PINTENS\/BELGA MAG\/AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
However, 2024\u2019s route was technical enough for gravel bikes<\/a> to be required, with few opting for road bikes.<\/p>
Speaking to BikeRadar at the start, Van der Poel recognised the tougher terrain: “The course is quite rough in places, particularly through the middle section.”<\/p>
$\"\"$
Most road pros ported their groupset over from their road setup Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
His setup, however, shows how close World Tour racers like to keep their setup to the road bikes they know so well.<\/p>
Van der Poel opted for his standard Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 Di2 groupset<\/a>, with the only change coming at the chainrings<\/a>.<\/p>
His usual 54\/40t combination was swapped for a smaller 52t outer. Officially, this should be paired with a 36t chainring, but we think it looks more like a 39t.<\/p>
$\"\"$
These cranks have seen some miles Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The wheels comprise Dura-Ace hubs laced to unbranded rims. <\/p>
Given the Dutchman typically rides with Shimano wheels, we expect these may be borrowed from Shimano\u2019s gravel range to provide a wider internal width.<\/p>
$\"\"$
The Terreno Zero was a popular choice on course. Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Speaking of which, Vittoria\u2019s Terreno Zero<\/a> was the choice of the day in a 38mm size. <\/p>
These tyres are the slickest in Vittoria\u2019s gravel range, but with minimal mud on the course, excessive tread wasn\u2019t needed.<\/p>
While snapping photos of the bike, Alpecin\u2019s mechanic told us Van der Poel is not running inserts, and that he never does, instead opting for a relatively high 3.5Bar \/ 50psi tyre pressure<\/a>.<\/p>
Such a high pressure seems excessive. However, given the dry conditions, Van der Poel was likely looking for the fastest setup possible.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Aero matters, even on gravel Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Aerodynamics is as much part of the pursuit of speed in gravel as on the road.<\/p>
Van der Poel used a set of Spatz Windsock 2 shoe covers. Naturally, he had a gleaming white pair with branding from sponsor, Zwift.<\/p>
$\"\"$
Flared drops mean canted in levers are still in line with the drops, therefore remaining UCI legal Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The front end of the bike showed further chasing of aero savings. <\/p>
Sat on a fully integrated CP0039 cockpit, Van der Poel had his levers canted inwards at quite an angle.<\/p>
The UCI\u2019s hood angle rules<\/a> still apply, but riders can get away with more aggressive-looking setups thanks to modern flared drops.<\/p>
$\"\"$
The gorgeous iridescent paint looked different from every angle Liam Cahill \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
While there were still riders opting for road bikes at this year\u2019s event, these choices appeared to be made out of necessity. <\/p>
Though some will remain unhappy until the rainbow bands are awarded to the winner of Unbound Gravel<\/a> \u2013 gravel racing’s premier event \u2013 for a rider of Van der Poel\u2019s calibre and handling skills to choose a gravel bike suggests the UCI has started to design World Championship courses worthy of the ‘gravel’ name.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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