Gravel racer accused of identity fraud

And other gravel news

The gravel race season is ticking to a close and with that is a bevy of gravel news. The UCI Gravel World Championships takes place this weekend in Belgium with the elite fields of course getting the most attention. However, a 59-year-old Belgian man is responsible for perhaps the most bizarre headline to come out of gravel worlds. 

Luc Bellings, a chef and bike shop owner, reportedly gave his bib number and timing chip to another rider at a qualifying race in order to gain an entry to worlds. The fake Bellings finished fourth in his masters category, even pulling the brakes at the finish to avoid landing on the podium. 

He has been barred from competing in the world championships but it’s unclear whether the UCI will punish him further. 

Bellings, the real one this time, also failed an anti-doping test in 2014 for elevated Testosterone in his body, something that is definitely not reflective of his character and sportsmanship. 

Lack of Americans in Belgium 

Things will hopefully be more above board in the much-hyped elite fields. The men’s race is being headlined by the likes of Mathieu van der Poel and previous world champ Matej Mohorc, while the women’s field can look forward to racing against Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Puck Pieterse, as well of a who's who of European cycling. 

The start list is underwhelming for American fans of the sport, as USA Cycling’s roster leaves off gravel stars such as Keegan Swenson and his Santa Cruz teammate Alexis Skarda. On one hand, the course is more suited to Euro road racers, with Swenson being better suited to long, hard climbing race courses compared to the fields of Flanders. 

Another factor is a lack of support from USA cycling. While the governing body gave good support for worlds last year in Italy, the Paris Olympics sapped up budgets for this year, meaning riders are on their own for travel costs. 

Finally, many athletes chose to focus on the last two rounds of the Life Time Grand Prix in Colorado and Arkansas. 

American fans can look forward to seeing John Borstelmann, Brennan Wertz, Lauren De Crescenzo, and Lauren Stephens on course, but pundits are not betting on an American rainbow jersey. 

Life Time Grand Prix podiums up for grabs 

Swenson and De Crescenzo won the penultimate race in the Life Time Grand Prix series last week at The Rad Dirt Fest in Trinidad, Colorado. It was Swenson’s debut at the race, having skipped in last year, but it was De Crescenzo’s third time winning in Trinidad. 

Swenson and Sofia Gomez Villafane have the overall standings locked up ahead of the final round at Big Sugar Gravel, but the battle for the podium is still tight. In the men’s field, watch Cole Paton, Payson McElveen, Matt Beers, and Lachlan Morton. In the women’s Paige Onweller will be looking to hold off Skarda, Melisa Rollins, and Haley Smith. 

Belgian Waffle Ride announces 2025 calendar 

The Belgian Waffle Ride series of events has announced their 2025 calendar, including a new race in Montana. In addition, the elite “Quad-Triple Crown” is their elite series that includes four races. The confusing name aside, riders are scored in a best 3 out of 4 format. 

The long-standing California event will also move to a new venue at the Del Mar Polo Fields and feature a refreshed course with new sections in addition to some classic sections that riders will be familiar with. 

SBT GRVL seeks new permit 

SBT GRVL submitted a permit application to Routt County after the local government previously said they would only permit a scaled-back event. The Colorado race is proposing a two-day event, with an 1,800 rider non-competitive event and 750-rider circuit race the next day. 

According to a local news report, SBT GRVL says in their permit application that an event with less than about 2,500 riders would not be financially viable. A decision from the county commissioners is expected to come down on Oct. 15. 

As I wrote previously, SBT’s relationship with their local community, whatever the outcome, will have reverberations across the gravel cycling industry and community.