Danish soil witnessed a new round of the Gravel Earth Series last Saturday, August 31, with the Nordic GRVL Grinder. This event, which has left its mark on the participants, has crowned Klara Sofie Skovgård and Jordan Habets as winners.
The event offered three route options, but only the 200-kilometre route, with a cumulative elevation gain of 1,700 metres, awarded points towards the Gravel Earth Series classification.
In the women’s category, Denmark’s Klara Sofie Skovgård (PAS Racing Team) took the win after completing the course in 6h, 16m and 22s, taking first place on home soil. Her compatriot and teammate Mie Nordlund Pedersen (PAS Racing Team) crossed the line just two minutes later, while Trine Holmsgaard (Adventure Cycling) completed the podium, securing an all-Danish top three.
Top 5 Female
- 1. Klara Sofie Skovgård (DEN) (PAS Racing Team) – 06:16:22
- 2. Wed Nordlund Pedersen (DEN) (PAS Racing Team) – 06:18:29
- 3. Trine Holmsgaard (DEN) (Adventure Cycling) – 06:52:30
- 4. Xaverine Nirere (RWA) (Team Amani) – 06:55:33
- 5. Agnes Fischl (HUN) (Sønderborg Cykle Klub) – 07:39:53
“I am very happy to have won over the 200km distance. My teammate and I played our cards well and broke away together from the start. We worked hard and managed to establish a 30-minute lead over the rest. In the last 25km we started to attack, and I managed to pull away. I am satisfied with my performance and proud to have taken my first victory over such a long distance.”
Klara Sofie Skovgård
In the men's category, Dutchman Jordan Habets (Metec Solarwatt) won with a time of 5h, 25m and 7s. Dane Niels Bech Rasmussen (Willing Able Racing) took second place after a close sprint with Frenchman Alexys Brunel (Ciclista independiente), who finished just one second behind the runner-up.
Top 5 Male
- 1. Jordan Habets (NED) (Metec Solarwatt) – 05:25:07
- 2. Niels Bech Rasmussen (DEN) (Willing Able Racing) – 05:27:20
- 3. Alexys Brunel (FRA) (Independent) – 05:27:21
- 4. Mathijs Loman (NED) (Scope Racing) – 05:29:17
- 5. Tobias Mørch (DEN) (PAS Racing Team) – 05:33:02
“A really fast race, with a hilly section at the start and finish. After about 25km, we were already down to just 20 riders. Then, on the flat part in the middle, I was able to break away with another Danish rider. After that, I didn’t see the rest of the group again. On the penultimate climb, I attacked and rode the last 20km solo, keeping a good lead. Very happy to have finished like this!”
Jordan Habets
The Nordic GRVL Grinder was one of the last opportunities for riders to improve their position in the overall Gravel Earth Series standings, where the two best results of the year are considered along with the Earth Final.
