Page 37 - Fourways Gardens Issue 10 November 2023

UCI WORLD GRAVEL CHAMPIONSHIPS

B Y GERRY DE BOER
fter competing and winning my
age category at the qualifying
race (Swartberg 100) held in
APrince Albert in April, I was
selected to represent South Africa in
my age group 70 to 74 at the UCI World
Gravel Championships hosted in the
Italian province of Veneto on 7 October.

Qualifying races were held across Europe,
the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
and South Africa, with the fastest 25% of
men and women from each age group
qualifying for the World Championships.
What is gravel racing? It combines road
and mountain bike elements and takes
place mainly on unsealed roads (gravel,
forest tracks, farm roads, cobbles, etc).

The race was over a 92km course with
1 100m climbing through beautiful
countryside with quaint villages and
supporters along the route ringing
cowbells and shouting words of support
and encouragement, but unfortunately,
the clock was running. There was no
time to stop and absorb it all. The race
was tough as we were on loose gravel,
cobblestones, and a bit of tar and the
race ended with two big climbs in the last
15km.

I finished fourth overall in my age category,
with 18 other cyclists represented by
eight nations. I had fantastic support from
my wife Sue and daughter Stef (who flew
across and surprised me at Venice airport)
and the rest of the SAffer contingent.
There were 19 male and female cyclists
across various age groups, representing
South Africa and flying our flag high.

I am incredibly proud to have
represented South Africa on

an international stage and to
have experienced the European
enthusiasm towards the sport
of cycling.

Fourways Gardens • 35 • November 2023