Vos seeks third gravel crown in Nannup as specialists challenge road dominance
Marianne Vos prepares to defend her UCI Gravel World Championship title in Nannup, Western Australia, facing a field of dedicated gravel specialists. The 39-year-old Dutch rider, who won the title in 2024 and finished second in 2025, acknowledges the difficulty of the 125.6km course, which features 84% gravel and 3,179m of elevation gain. While Vos has a turbulent season due to personal loss, she remains motivated by the challenge. Key rivals include Rosa Klöser and Sofia Gomez Villafañe, who are skipping the Life Time Grand Prix to compete. The race highlights a growing tension between road and gravel disciplines, with specialists increasingly challenging traditional road pros for world titles.
