French favourite Ferrand-Prevot claims first Women's Gravel World Championship title

Attacks went from the gun on the 140-kilometre course to Veneto in Italy and eventually a group of four went into the final 30 kilometres together.

The former cyclo-cross and road world champion as well as reigning MTB cross-country world champion, Ferrand-Prevot was amongst the quartet alongside Switzerland's Sina Frei, home rider Chiara Teocchi and German Jade Treffeisen, who seemed to struggle on the more technical sections.

Behind them a chasing group hovered around a minute for 20 kilometres across a course made up of 69% gravel. Compared to more famous gravel races around the world, the inaugral running of the World Championships was an 'easier' affair.

With 20 kilometres to go, the four up front continued to work well together, but their gap started to tumble - three kilometres later it had almost been halved. Sensing the danger, the front group picked up the pace and with eight kilometres left, their gap was back up to a minute - the title would come from them.

A tight hairpin in the final around Veneto put Treffeisen on the back foot, but she clawed her way back only to be distanced alongside Teocchi.

That left Ferrand-Prevot and Frei to sprint for the win and it was the Frenchwoman who came out on top to be the first Gravel World Champion. Teocchi finished third for an Italian triumph.