Mathieu van der Poel won the 2024 Men's UCI Gravel World Championships aboard a custom-painted Canyon Grail CFR.
2022’s inaugural UCI Gravel World Championships ruffled the feathers of die-hard gravel fans when some racers – including Van der Poel – raced on their road bikes with minimal changes required for the fine gravel that Italy provided.
However, 2024’s route was technical enough for gravel bikes to be required, with few opting for road bikes.
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."
His setup, however, shows how close World Tour racers like to keep their setup to the road bikes they know so well.
Van der Poel opted for his standard Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 Di2 groupset, with the only change coming at the chainrings.
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.
The wheels comprise Dura-Ace hubs laced to unbranded rims.
Given the Dutchman typically rides with Shimano wheels, we expect these may be borrowed from Shimano’s gravel range to provide a wider internal width.
Speaking of which, Vittoria’s Terreno Zero was the choice of the day in a 38mm size.
These tyres are the slickest in Vittoria’s gravel range, but with minimal mud on the course, excessive tread wasn’t needed.
While snapping photos of the bike, Alpecin’s 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.
Such a high pressure seems excessive. However, given the dry conditions, Van der Poel was likely looking for the fastest setup possible.
Aerodynamics is as much part of the pursuit of speed in gravel as on the road.
Van der Poel used a set of Spatz Windsock 2 shoe covers. Naturally, he had a gleaming white pair with branding from sponsor, Zwift.
The front end of the bike showed further chasing of aero savings.
Sat on a fully integrated CP0039 cockpit, Van der Poel had his levers canted inwards at quite an angle.
The UCI’s hood angle rules still apply, but riders can get away with more aggressive-looking setups thanks to modern flared drops.
While there were still riders opting for road bikes at this year’s event, these choices appeared to be made out of necessity.
Though some will remain unhappy until the rainbow bands are awarded to the winner of Unbound Gravel – gravel racing's premier event – for a rider of Van der Poel’s calibre and handling skills to choose a gravel bike suggests the UCI has started to design World Championship courses worthy of the 'gravel' name.
