Silver for Toby Perry at the European Gravel Championship!
Toby Perry of the Classified-Ridley Team secured the silver medal last Sunday at the European Gravel Championship in Veneto. Just two weeks after the official launch of the ASTR RS, the bike has already achieved success on the highest stage. The British rider managed his race brilliantly and dropped the other chasers in the final. For the team, this medal is the cherry on top after a year of hard work.
Over the past few years, Toby has developed into a gravel specialist. In 2022, he placed 33rd at the World Championship in Veneto, then riding for Hagens Berman Axeon. A year later, he triumphed at Millau Grands Causses (UCI Gravel World Series) and also won a stage at Gravel, Grit 'n Grind. This brought him to the attention of the Classified-Ridley Team, and he shifted his focus entirely to this new cycling discipline.
Over the past few years, Toby has developed into a gravel specialist. In 2022, he placed 33rd at the World Championship in Veneto, then riding for Hagens Berman Axeon. A year later, he triumphed at Millau Grands Causses (UCI Gravel World Series) and also won a stage at Gravel, Grit 'n Grind. This brought him to the attention of the Classified-Ridley Team, and he shifted his focus entirely to this new cycling discipline.
ASTR RS
The new standard for performance gravelThe ASTR RS is a high-end racing gravel bike that combines aerodynamics and light weight to meet all the needs of the modern gravel circuit. With a tyre clearance of 52 millimetres (1x setup), you are armed for the roughest terrain on the ASTR RS. The accompanying geometry stands for stability and speed.
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With his new team, Toby immediately made an impression with a 4th place finish at the Iberian Gravel Tierra de Campos. He then earned strong results at The Gralloch (6th) and Wish One Millau Grands Causses (4th), two races in the UCI Gravel World Series. In between, he also raced in the legendary Unbound, but due to illness a few days before the race, he was unable to finish this classic. At the beginning of July, he made a comeback by winning the Nordic Gravel Series, and in mid-August, he added two stage wins and the overall title at Gravel, Grit 'n Grind.
With the championships and Sea Otter, the gravel circuit reached its season climax. Toby finished 2nd at the British Championship but didn’t have his best day at the World Championship. Everything came together at the European Championship in Asiago. He was part of the lead group fighting for medals. When Czech rider Martin Stosek accelerated, Toby maintained his own pace, eventually overtaking Belgian riders Jenno Berckmoes and Olivier Godfroid. Right after the finish, Toby fell into the arms of team manager Nick Sannen, visibly pleased with his performance.
With the championships and Sea Otter, the gravel circuit reached its season climax. Toby finished 2nd at the British Championship but didn’t have his best day at the World Championship. Everything came together at the European Championship in Asiago. He was part of the lead group fighting for medals. When Czech rider Martin Stosek accelerated, Toby maintained his own pace, eventually overtaking Belgian riders Jenno Berckmoes and Olivier Godfroid. Right after the finish, Toby fell into the arms of team manager Nick Sannen, visibly pleased with his performance.
Bike setup
In Asiago, Toby naturally rode the new ASTR RS. As usual, he opted for a purple chainring (54T) and the G42 wheelset. Shifting was handled, as expected, via the Classified Powershift Hub. These choices proved crucial in his path to a medal. Congratulations, Toby!
