Henrique Avancini Confirmed for UCI Gravel World Championships; Lauren Stephens Wins FoCo Fondo
Two-time mountain bike world champion Henrique da Silva Avancini is confirmed for the elite men’s start list at the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Western Australia, scheduled for October 11, 2026.
Elite International Rosters Lock In for Western Australia Showdown
Organisers for the UCI Gravel Worlds announced preliminary elite rosters via social media, highlighting a deep international field heading to Western Australia. According to official event disclosures, Petr Vakoč of Czechia and Paul Voss of Germany will join Avancini on the elite men’s start line for the 143km championship race on Sunday, October 11. Meanwhile, the elite women’s division will tackle a 125km course on Saturday, October 10. Early confirmations feature Australians Tiffany Cromwell and Nicole Frain, alongside Tessa Neefjes of the Netherlands and Haley Smith of Canada.
Logistical preparations are already underway across the region. Spectator camping registrations are currently open at the Nannup Recreation Centre Precinct, situated less than one kilometre from the start and finish lines. The site provides direct access to the training course via the Munda Biddi Trail, offering tent, car, caravan, and camper options for multi-night stays starting Wednesday, October 5. For international and domestic arrivals, the Busselton Margaret River Airport sits 35 minutes away by car, while Perth Airport provides long-haul connections via a three-and-a-half-hour drive.
FoCo Fondo Ends in Disqualification and a Third Consecutive Victory
While the gravel calendar looks ahead to Australia, domestic racing delivered immediate drama at the FoCo Fondo in Fort Collins, Colorado. Lauren Stephens (Aegis x LOE) captured her third consecutive FoCo Fondo title on Sunday, executing a decisive late attack to cross the finish line solo in 6:11:43. Stephens forced a separation within the first 20 miles of the 118-mile race, eventually riding alongside Alexis Skarda (Scott Bicycles/Q36.5/Shimano) before launching a race-winning surge with under 15 miles remaining. Cecile Lejeune (Trek Driftless) claimed second place five minutes behind Stephens, while Hannah Shell (Goodlife Brands, Pirelli) rounded out the podium.
The elite men’s race featured severe tactical attrition amid soaring temperatures reaching 95°F (35°C). Breakaway rider Kade Kreikemeier (Meridian Racing) crossed the finish line nearly a minute ahead of the field after executing a 75-mile solo effort. The 21-year-old Colorado racer—who won the USPro U23 men’s time trial in West Virginia last month—bridged a three-minute gap to early leaders Michael Garrison (SpeedStudio p/b Basso) and Connor Pulvidente before establishing his solo advantage.
However, race organizers disqualified Kreikemeier after a livestream race moto operator filmed an official rules violation, handing him a bottle to combat the extreme heat. Accepting outside aid contravenes standard gravel racing regulations. Consequently, Caleb Bottcher (ENVE/Shimano/Neversecond) inherited the victory with a time of 5:26:46. Matthew Saldana (Cyclesport.com) finished second just one second back, and Benjamin Perry (Guava x Castelli S.O.G.) took third place.
Course Navigation and Adaptive Divisions
Beyond the elite podium battles, the FoCo Fondo welcomed diverse competitor fields. Robin Cummings (Nine Lives Cycling Collective) secured another victory in the non-binary and gender-expansive category, completing the route in 6:30:35. Age-group competitors at the upcoming UCI Gravel Worlds in Nannup will similarly face modified medium and short courses operating on the same infrastructure as the elite fields, departing 20 minutes after the professional waves.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.