Elisa Serné, 25, of Breda competed in the elite Gravel World Championships in Australia, her first appearance at that level. She had previously won the 19-34 amateur world title in Limburg and finished ninth at the elite European Championships in late August.

Serné, who does not have a professional contract, had hoped to test herself against the leading riders, including Marianne Vos, on what was described as a demanding course. A later report said she exceeded her own expectations at the championships and did not follow unspecified advice from Vos.