UCI Gravel World Series rules say the gap before the women's elite start "must be the largest possible" — at Houffalize that meant five minutes, versus roughly an hour at The Gralloch. Van Loock caught the first age-groupers within 2km and described riders who insulted the field, refused to yield, and one who hit elite women trying to pass. UCI Gravel World Series leader Wendy Oosterwoud also flagged the timing. Femke Markus still won the title, but the race that mattered happened around, not against, the field it was supposed to isolate.