Take3 days ago
Bak Klaris wins Gravel Worlds in a photo finish for Denmark
Magnus Bak Klaris of Denmark won the elite men's race at the Gravel World Championships in Nannup, with the photo finish confirming first place over a four-man group. Denmark's team chased down the early breakaway, and Bak Klaris, who had spent much of the race working for Mads Würtz Schmidt, came around the other three at the last moment. Defending champion Florian Vermeersch took second and Connor Swift third.
What this means
Vermeersch leaves Nannup without the title he won in 2025. Swift finished third at Gravel Worlds in 2023, the same result he took in Nannup.
Lukas Pöstlberger, Jenson Young and Peter Schulting built a lead of nearly three minutes early on. Denmark's team chased and caught the escapees with about 20 km to go. On the final serious climb, Foley, Swift attacked and was followed by Bak Klaris, Würtz Schmidt and Petr Vakoč, with Vermeersch close behind. In the closing kilometres Würtz Schmidt slid out in a corner, Swift braked to avoid him, and Würtz Schmidt regained contact with about 1.4 km to go. Bak Klaris had won the last qualifier in Halmstad two weeks earlier and the Gravel Grit 'n Grind event in Sweden by 51 seconds. This is his first world title. Swift, who missed the rainbow jersey by centimetres, said: «I think I was just a bit disappointed because maybe I messed up that sprint a little bit.» He added: «if I really want that jersey, it's this event, and that's the reason why I came out here.»
Sources
Bak Klaris Wins Gravel World Title in Nannup Photo Finish'I messed up that sprint a little bit' – Connor Swift 'pretty gutted' to miss out on closest shot at rainbow at Gravel World ChampionshipsMagnus Bak Klaris Stuns the Favorites to Win the 2026 Gravel World ChampionshipMagnus Bak Klaris wins four-up sprint to take gravel world title
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