Connor Swift reacts to bronze at Gravel World Championships: 'The only World Championship jersey I've got a real shot at'
Gravel
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Follow us on GoogleConnor Swift led out a fantastic long-range sprint at the Gravel World Championships in Nannup on Sunday, but was unable to win the rainbow jersey. The Brit came away with the bronze medal, behind Magnus Bak Klaris and Florian Vermeersch. Swift said he was "pretty gutted" by the result.
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Strong race for the Brit
Swift saw a lot of action in the race on Sunday, and was a main player in the eventual lead group that formed.
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After a long and gruelling race, with plenty of elevation, the race for the rainbow bands came down to a four-man sprint.
The British rider went early, looking to lead out the pack, but was pipped to the line by both Klaris and Vermeersch, who came off his back wheel.
Read more below the video!
Swift looked to go long on the sprint finish
Swift had a good day, but not quite good enough
Swift told Cyclingnews that he felt good on the day. "I knew I was with the strongest guys, and I knew I could match anyone trying to attack", he said.
In his post-race interview, he told the broadcaster he "backed" his sprint against the other riders.
"Unfortunately it didn't pay off today, and I'm pretty gutted actually," he continued, showing that despite having a strong day, he wanted more.
"I think I was just a bit disappointed because maybe I messed up that sprint a little bit. But I just thought if I was first in at like 200 metres to go, where there's a little kink in the road, slightly downhill, that first guy into there wins. But yeah, it didn't quite work out."
Read more below the photo!
Swift feels gravel is his only chance to wear the rainbow jersey
Swift, who currently rides for Netcompany INEOS, had travelled a long way to compete for the World Championship. For him, the distance is worth it, as he feels gravel is the discipline where he has the best chance at winning.
"In terms of cycling as a whole sport, the only World Championship jersey that I've got a real shot at getting and achieving is this one. I'm not going to win the road race, I'm not going to win the TT, I'm not going to win on the track because I don't do track and I'm not going to win cyclocross.
"So if I really want that jersey, it's this event, and that's the reason why I came out here. I've been on the podium before, it suits me well, but unfortunately today, two steps away."
End of the season, Swift looks ahead
Finishing with a World Championship bronze isn't so bad, and the Brit is already looking ahead to the 2027 season, which he hopes to open at the Tour Down Under.
He may also be looking ahead to the next Gravel World Championships, which return to Europe next September, taking place in Haute-Savoie, France.
Clarice WebsterEditor
Clarice has been following cycling her whole life, wroting about Thibaut Pinot (among others) for her university magazine while earning her masters in Journalism. She is passionate about furthering equality in sports coverage, and has taken huge inspiration from pillars of women’s cycling like Beryl Burton, Marianne Vos, and Laura Kenny.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the race: why is it called the “Koers van de Vallende Bladeren”? Is that another name for Lombardy because it’s held in autumn?breakawaybikerd12-10-2026
- Brilliant result, but the coverage is already crowning him the next king after one big win. Let’s see how he handles a full season of expectations first.lindae12-10-2026
- The Civiglio move sounds a bit reckless, but clearly he trusted his legs and his plan. That confidence is exciting—though the team will need to help him manage all the hype now.gearguru3312-10-2026
- I’m still learning the race: why is it called the “Koers van de Vallende Bladeren”? Is that another name for Lombardy because it’s held in autumn?Huge ride from Seixas. Winning a Monument at 20 is remarkable, and dropping Ciccone and Pidcock on the final climb makes it more than just a case of Pogacar being absent.velodromevirtuoso112-10-2026
- Brilliant result, but the coverage is already crowning him the next king after one big win. Let’s see how he handles a full season of expectations first.patriciaw12-10-2026
- The Civiglio move sounds a bit reckless, but clearly he trusted his legs and his plan. That confidence is exciting—though the team will need to help him manage all the hype now.davidm12-10-2026
- Huge ride from Seixas. Winning a Monument at 20 is remarkable, and dropping Ciccone and Pidcock on the final climb makes it more than just a case of Pogacar being absent.sprocketspiny12-10-2026
- What a year for Del Toro. Future Grand Tour winner, surely.patriciaw11-10-2026
- Why did UAE make him team leader if they already knew the knee was bothering him? Seems like a strange decision.lindae11-10-2026
- Seixas really blew the race apart on the Civiglio. Del Toro’s 28th looks poor on paper, but context matters here. One bad day doesn’t erase the season he’s had.cyclechamp4511-10-2026
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