Gravel World Series: Wendy Oosterwoud and Anton Albrecht score first wins of the season in Poland at Gravel Adventure

Dutch rider Wendy Oosterwoud and Germany’s Anton Albrecht claimed the elite titles at the Gravel Adventure event in Poland, marking their first wins of the 2026 Gravel World Series season. The competition took place in the Izerskie Mountains, featuring a challenging 120km course with over 2,300 metres of elevation gain. Riders faced a demanding route that included multiple climbs, both gravel and paved, culminating in a technical downhill finish. Oosterwoud secured her victory with a decisive solo attack on the dirt descent following the longest climb, maintaining an average speed of 26.7 kph to cross the line in just under four and a half hours. This win was a breakthrough after several podium finishes earlier in the season. Swiss rider Irina Lützelschwab and Germany’s Romy Kasper, who recently competed at the Unbound Gravel 200, completed the women’s podium, finishing two and six minutes behind respectively. In the men’s race, Albrecht made his winning move on the final 7.7km paved climb, breaking away from a lead group of 15 riders. He held off a late charge from Czech riders Petr Vakoč and Filip Adel to take the win in 3:49:14, averaging 31.4 kph. Vakoč, who finished runner-up for the second consecutive year, was just over a minute behind, with Adel close behind in third. Both victories highlight the growing competitiveness of the Gravel World Series and the increasing prominence of European riders in this emerging discipline. With the season underway, these results set the stage for further intense battles across the remaining events, as riders aim to consolidate their positions in the overall standings. The challenging terrain and varied course profiles continue to test the riders’ endurance and tactical acumen, promising an exciting season ahead.