Even before the start list for the UCI Gravel World Championship was prepared, it was clear from the early announcement that many major heavy hitters will appear in the 2023 edition.

Currently, the depth of the field is also evident in the names of the new European gravel champions Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands), Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland) and Matej Mohorić (Slovenia) among the additions to the already confirmed strong list.

Previously, a series of team and individual announcements that the men's race on 8 May will include new and important candidates for the second edition, including Wout van Aert (Belgium), Alejandro Valverde (Spain) and US gravel powerhouse Keegan Swenson.

During the women's race, 2023-10-7 will be won by Tour de France Femmes winner Demi Lovato. Volling (Netherlands) and Unbound Gravel200 winner Carolyn Schiff (Germany) will be joined by defending champion Pauline Ferran・Prevo (France), Tiffany Cromwell (Australia) and Lifetime Grand Prix leader Sofia Gomes Villafu. I was chosen among the people who lined up side by side with Ferni (Argentina). Recently retired World Tour star Annemiek van Vleuten had hoped to start using the wild card roster from the Netherlands but withdrew this week due to a foot injury.

The release of the Start list revealed that this is far from the limit of the key names of cycling in Spresiano to participate in the contest.

The 140km women's race in the Veneto region of Italy was not only attended by European gravel champion Weaves and Canyon Slam rider Niebiadoma, but also by UAE team Sylvia Persico and Lidl Trek's Gaia Realni, as well as mobiles and other riders. Star Emma Norsgaard (Denmark) and South Africa's Ashley Murman Pacio (AG Insurance- Sudar Quickstep) were also joined.

New Zealand's Niamh Fisher-Black is also taking part in the race to Pieve di Soligo with many other SD Worx teammates, including Barbara Guarischi and Elena Cecchini riding for Italy. Then there are Dutch rider Pauliena Rooijakkers (Canyon-SRAM) and Belgian Sanne Cant, the 2017, 2018 and 2019 world cyclocross champion. Major Gravel World Series players Jade Trefeisen (Germany), Tessa Niefjes (Netherlands) and Svenya Betts (Germany) will also take part in the race.

Il Lombardia on Saturday, alongside Milan Sanremo winners Mohoriß and Van Aert, with Belgium's Gianni Vermeersch lining up to defend his title, and 2022's second-place Daniel Oss (TotalEnergies) again to the Italian team. Join him on the home team for the 169km men's race, along with his gravel expert cousin Mattia de Marchi, who has strong results in gravel including records but prefers longer distances.

Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers), who won the Gralock Gravel World Series race earlier this year, is racing for England and then there is also a long list of powerful gravel experts to take on the road contingent. Peter Habik (Netherlands), Nathan Haas (Australia), Paul Vosch (Germany) and Petr Vacosch (Czech Republic) all made the top 10 at the European Gravel Championships.

The winner of the First Continental Gravel Championship, Jasper Stuyven (Belgium), is among those who will not be racing, instead turning back to the road, there is also no compatriot and second place Tim Merlier.

There were also other surprising omissions from the Elite start list, US champions Swenson and Lawrence Stevens–Cyclingnews leading their national team confirmed that this is a clerical issue and they will stand at the start line.