MARJOLEIN VAN’T GELOOF AND RAIT ARM CLAIM THEIR FIRST GRAVEL EARTH SERIES VICTORIES AT MEGRE
The forests of Anykščiai set the stage for one of the most distinctive races on the Gravel Earth Series calendar. Fast gravel roads, technical forest sections and an atmosphere built by an incredible local community combined to deliver another unforgettable edition of Megre, where two new names were added to the list of Gravel Earth Series winners.
After two thrilling races, Marjolein van’t Geloof and Rait Arm crossed the finish line first to secure their maiden Gravel Earth Series victories, in a day where every second counted.
A women’s race decided in the final metres
The women’s race remained wide open from start to finish.
A select group battled together across the Lithuanian gravel roads before the race came down to an incredibly close finale. Marjolein van’t Geloof timed her effort to perfection, stopping the clock in 4:26:37 to take victory by less than two seconds over Axelle Dubau-Prevot. Just a few seconds later, Nathalie Eklund completed the podium after another outstanding performance.
Behind them, Daiva Ragažinskienė, Lucy Hempstead and Julie Emilie Maribo rounded out a highly competitive top six in one of the closest women’s finishes of the season.
For Van’t Geloof, it is a special milestone. After several strong performances throughout the Gravel Earth Series, she finally writes her name into the winners’ list for the very first time.
Rait Arm delivers on home soil
The men’s race was every bit as spectacular.
An elite group stayed together at an astonishing pace throughout the 150-kilometre course, leaving the outcome undecided until the final sprint.
Estonian rider Rait Arm emerged victorious in 3:37:30, edging out Jordy Bouts by fractions of a second, while Magnus Bak Klaris secured third after another remarkable ride.
The quality of the field was evident throughout the top ten, with Eddy Le Huitouze, Arno Van den Broeck, Eimantas Gudiškis, Luca Dreßler, Tobias Mørch Kongstad, Piotr Havik and Linus Østdal all crossing the line within seconds of one another after more than three and a half hours of racing.
Like Van’t Geloof, Arm also celebrates his first Gravel Earth Series victory, making Megre a breakthrough moment for both winners.
More than a race
Megre has become one of the events that best represents what the Gravel Earth Series stands for.
Year after year, Giedrius, his team and an extraordinary group of volunteers create an experience that goes far beyond the race itself. The forests of Anykščiai provide the perfect natural playground, but it is the people behind the event who have transformed Megre into a race that riders genuinely look forward to returning to every season.
It is this combination of spectacular landscapes, genuine hospitality and world-class racing that continues to make Lithuania one of the highlights of the Gravel Earth Series calendar.
The road to The Last Dance
With Megre complete, the 2026 Gravel Earth Series enters its final chapter.
Only one event remains before the season reaches its conclusion. On August 15, the series heads to CORE4 in Iowa, USA, where riders will have one final opportunity to score valuable points before the overall standings are decided.
Then, all roads lead to The River by The Traka in Bouillon, Belgium, on September 6.
The Last Dance.
One final race. One final battle. One last chance to leave a mark on the 2026 Gravel Earth Series before a remarkable season comes to an end.
