In Unpaved Chronicles, we delve into the world of gravel racing. This rapidly growing discipline combines the adventure of off-road riding with the intensity of racing. No smooth asphalt, but gravel roads, steep climbs, and unpredictable terrain. More and more riders are drawn to this mix of endurance, technique, and tactics.
Twenty-one countries. Thirty-three qualifying races. All that gravel action will converge this weekend for the Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships in South Limburg. For many avid gravel riders, this is the ultimate moment of the year – the culmination of a long season filled with dust, sweat, and endless rides on gravel roads. Training schedules are fine-tuned to the last watt, tire treads carefully chosen. And secretly, everyone dreams of that perfect World Championship ride, maybe even a podium finish.
The World Championships are also buzzing within the Airoman community. Several riders partnered with Airoman.cc will be competing this weekend and have left nothing to chance in recent weeks. We spoke with a handful of them about their preparation, expectations, and goals for the World Championships on Clay, and briefly reflected on the rest of their season.
Ladies
Liesl Meeus - Women Age Group 19-34, Serso Gravel Team
For Liesl, the World Championships are practically a home race, as she lives just an hour from the start in Beek. She believes the course is beautiful, and she's been purposefully preparing for it: "It's a lot of short efforts followed by flat sections. My coach has been tailoring my training to that as best as possible recently." With a recent training week on and around Mont Ventoux, Liesl's preparation was going smoothly, until a back injury and several illnesses threw a wrench in the works. "The key now is to be as fit as possible at the start." This has also led her to adjust her expectations somewhat: "Normally, I'd definitely want to finish in the top 10, but now I'm satisfied if I perform better than last year. Enjoying things is the most important thing, and a good result is a real bonus!" Regardless of the World Championship result, Liesl looks back on a strong season, including a victory at the UCI Gravel Series in Denmark. "I'm really proud of that, yes."
Roxanne Takken - Women Age Group 19-34, WV Schijndel
This is Roxanne's first year in the U23 category, and she immediately made her mark with a victory at the UCI Gravel Series in Vianden. "I really wanted to peak there, and the fact that I succeeded is something I'm very proud of." She's also happy with her progress this season. "Last year, as a junior, I raced a maximum of two and a half hours, and this year I spent five to six hours on the bike." Due to a knee injury, Roxanne's buildup to the World Championships hasn't been ideal, but she's still looking forward to the race: "A few weeks ago, I reconnoitered the course, and I think the course should suit me. I especially like the beginning, with its successive climbs and descents." When will she be satisfied? "When I can compete in the race and give it my all." The Airoman gloves and aero socks are definitely essential for her during the World Championships. And of course, for this special occasion, the orange uniform – it's great to be able to start in it!
Esmee Peperkamp - Elite Women, Team Picnic-PostNL
Esmee has had a busy few weeks in terms of gravel races. From technical descents in Girona to pushing the limits on flat terrain at the National Championships in Aalten. "Because of that, I haven't specifically prepared for the World Championships." That doesn't mean she's any less excited: "It's definitely going to be a special race in my home country. A super strong and friendly team, the atmosphere, lots of familiar faces along the way. It's going to be great." Regarding the race, she expects it to be tough from the start: "But that's the case with every gravel race." Despite the hardship, Esmee is happy she made a foray into gravel this season (read an extensive interview here ): "I started with no experience at the Gravel One Fifty and haven't regretted it for a second!" As a coffee addict, Esmee always brings a supply of freshly ground beans and her Aeropress. "And white Monster and gummies for Robbin (Zwaan)," she concludes jokingly.
Yael Prenger - Women Age Group 19-34
For Yael, the World Championships are her first UCI Gravel race since June. "In Vianden, I rode better than expected, but I had a nasty fall, which left me with a long-term hip injury." As a result, she's starting the World Championships without any expectations. "Of course, I'm hoping for a good result, but I mainly want to ride a good race for myself; I have no influence on others. If I cross the finish line knowing I gave it my all, I'll be happy." To optimally prepare, she's scouted the course. "I've also done more technical training to regain some confidence in my steering." Yael is most looking forward to the moment the race actually begins. "Just enjoy the racing! It's my first World Championship—last year, I couldn't start due to priorities at the ice rink—so I just want to enjoy the event." That's why she's bringing a camera to Limburg. "Capturing the atmosphere that way, for others as well, is something I enjoy!" Along with the camera, her Airom.cc speed suit is also coming along: "It's orange, so that's perfect for the World Cup!"
Larissa Hartog - Elite Women, Orange Babies Cycling Team
Larissa surprised everyone at the start of the season when she finished second in her first gravel race in Aachen, Germany, behind the GOAT Marianne Vos. "That was really incredibly special." Shortly after, she won the UCI Gravel Series in Denmark, something she describes as "really cool." A serious crash at the Gravel One Fifty put a dent in her season, but at the National Championships, she proved she could still compete with the best with a fifth-place finish, despite not being fully fit. This is also why she has mixed feelings about the World Championships. "I haven't been able to train as much as planned." Nevertheless, she remains positive and is fighting for a good race: "I just have to rely on my foundation. It would be great if I could show the wider public what I can do!" A successful World Championship? "It will be if it's a tough race where I can give it my all and get the most out of it." And to maximize that chance, the Airoman gloves will definitely be there!
Sera Gademan - Women Age Group 19-34, Team Bike Emotions
Sera has appeared on the start list for three UCI Gravel Series races this season, and she's finished on the podium three times. "I'm definitely proud of that." At the top of her list is her victory in the three-day race in Sweden. Looking ahead to the World Championships, Sera is optimistic, despite recently being sidelined with the flu. "I've been able to pick up my training nicely, and my confidence is returning quickly." Like many other riders, Sera has also scouted the course. "It's really cool that it's taking place in the Netherlands! And if the wind picks up, that will be a major factor!" Regarding her performance, she's primarily focused on herself: "Getting the most out of myself and enjoying the impressions that await me." Something she'll definitely be taking to Beek? She jokes: "My Holland Casino card; let's see if we can earn back the starting fee, haha." And then seriously: "No, just the standard race gear, including the gloves and aero socks from Airoman."
Gentlemen
Emiel Jansman - Men Age Group 19-34
"My form is excellent!" Emiel begins. It's clear he's really looking forward to the World Championships. "I want to enjoy myself, have fun, and give it my all; hopefully, a good result will follow." What would a good result be, according to him? "A top 20 and crossing the finish line in one piece—that's what I'll be happy with." To be well-prepared for the start, Emiel has been doing specific training on his gravel bike every week. Regarding the race, Emiel expects a tough final leg towards Maastricht. "Especially because I'll already have so many kilometers under my belt." His morale is certainly high, especially after the Dutch Gravel Championships two weeks ago, where Emiel finished 14th among the pros. "I'm really proud of that!" With that result in mind, and wearing the short gloves and aero overshoes from Airoman.cc in his backpack, Emiel travels to Limburg in a few days.
Yves Coolen - Men Age Group 19-34
Yves has been a consistent performer this season: he reached the podium at every UCI Qualifier, with the highlight being his victory at the 3Rides in Aachen. At the World Championships, he's aiming for the best possible result. "As an athlete, you aim for the highest possible performance, but I especially want to get the best out of myself and ride to the best of my ability." Besides the racing, Yves is looking forward to the atmosphere surrounding the races themselves. "I always enjoy seeing and feeling the general tension and stress that everyone experiences." With a recce planned shortly before the race and a training schedule designed to ensure he peaks at the right moment, Yves is ready for the World Championships. And the finishing touches? "They're the combination of the evo aero socks and aero overshoes from Airoman.cc !"
Felix van den Berg - Men's Age Group 19-34, Airoman Cycling Team
After Felix qualified for the World Championships at the Gravel One Fifty, his summer was filled with festivals and vacation. "After that, I really started putting in more hours again. Lots of long rides and intervals." He also started at the Dutch National Gravel Championships to get some nice, intense stimulation. He's really looking forward to the World Championships: "The atmosphere, with all the familiar faces there, is definitely going to be amazing!" Enjoying this atmosphere and managing the race well is one of his main goals. "If I cross the finish line feeling good, I'll be satisfied." Morale certainly won't be lacking, as Felix bought new white gravel shoes especially for the World Championships. "I really want to keep them white, so I'm definitely bringing the Airoman.cc aero overshoes to the World Championships!" Aside from the World Championships, Felix looks back fondly on the UCI Gravel Series in Aachen. "Even though I didn't qualify there, I had the strongest feeling on the bike there." The experience there, he says, was made complete by the elite men starting behind the Age Group. "When they passed us, you saw for real how fast those guys really go!"
Robbin Zwaan - Men's Age Group 19-34, Airom Cycling Team
What started as a joke became a reality this year for co-founder Airoman.cc Robbin: qualifying for the World Championships in Clay. In that sense, his season has already been a success, and he wants to enjoy the World Championships above all. "I don't have any expectations regarding the result, but I do want to finish and feel like I gave it my all." Looking at the course, he's happy that it doesn't have many steep climbs, but "the length (180km) and the amount of elevation gain make it very challenging." He's also really looking forward to the camaraderie that a World Championship weekend will bring: "Ultimately, it's about the community, the feeling, and everyone's stories." The sense of community is also what he's most proud of this season: "With Airoman.cc, we've brought together various riders from teams, which has really created a sense of community." And Robbin wouldn't be Robbin if he didn't show up at the start in style: "I'll be wearing beautiful new white Airoman.cc overshoes . 'Be well-groomed at the start and stroll along the paths!'
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The World Championships take place in the heart of South Limburg. Riders will ride a loop of approximately fifty kilometers through Beek, Beekdaelen, Voerendaal, Meerssen, and Valkenburg – a mix of gravel roads, forest paths, country lanes, and challenging climbs. Along the way, they will pass iconic sites such as Wijnandsrade Castle, the Vaeshartelt estate , and the Sint Hubertusmolen . The day's deciding factor? The Bronsdalweg : over a kilometer of gravel climbing, averaging 8 percent as the final real climb. The finale then leads via the Groene Loper towards Maastricht, where the new world champion will be crowned. Total number of kilometers:
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