No race number, plenty of pizza: Van der Poel rides the new Canyon Grail 2027 in Spain

If you love gravel for the freedom it gives you, this will ring a bell: tracks, good weather and a lunch stop without looking at the clock. That's how Mathieu van der Poel debuted the new Canyon Grail 2027, on a ride through Spain with Freddy Ovett, according to Brújula Bike. No stopwatch: a gravel adventure his way, pizza included.

Van der Poel and the new Canyon Grail: gravel without pressure

When a rider used to winning on the road, in cyclocross and on the mountain bike chooses a relaxed ride to present a bike, it says a lot about where gravel is right now. The Grail is Canyon's gravel bike, and for its 2027 version the brand chose to show it riding Spanish tracks rather than on a circuit or in a race.

The source doesn't detail the new generation's technical specifications in its summary, so we're not going to make them up. What is clear is the message: the Grail is presented as a bike for enjoying the ride, with company and in good weather, something Spain offers almost all year round.

What you can take from this ride

Beyond the big name, the idea fits the way many people who've switched to gravel like to ride. You don't need to go flat out to get the most out of a bike like this. A few ideas for your next ride:

• Choose your route for the scenery, not the elevation. Autumn is perfect for tracks through vineyards, river plains or gentle hills.
• Plan your stop. A village with a bar or pizzeria halfway round turns an ordinary ride into a plan worth repeating.
• Ride with others. A small group at a pace that lets you chat is half of what makes gravel great.
• Check your pressures before you go. On loose tracks, a few tenths of a bar make a big difference to grip and comfort.

New generation, second-hand opportunities

Every time a brand updates a model, the same thing happens: people with the previous version think about upgrading and more bikes appear on the second-hand market. If you've been eyeing up a Canyon Grail or any other gravel bike for a while, it's a good time to keep an eye on the second-hand gravel bike listings.

Before buying a used gravel bike, check the basics:

• The frame's condition, especially around the bottom bracket and chainstays, which take the most hits from stones.
• Wear on the chain, cassette and chainrings, which work harder on dusty and muddy tracks.
• Tyre clearance: check what tyre width it takes if you want to fit wider tyres.
• Headset and hub bearings: turn the handlebar and the wheels and listen for noises or a rough feel.
• Size: a gravel bike that doesn't fit you isn't worth it, however good the deal.

And if you're the one with a gravel bike and you're thinking of making the jump to the new generation, it's better to sell it while the previous model is still in high demand. You can post your listing for free in a few minutes and reach people looking for exactly what you've got.

Gravel in Spain, more and more on the map

It's no coincidence that a launch like this is ridden here. Good weather, thousands of kilometres of tracks and villages to stop in make Spain ideal terrain for gravel. You don't need the latest bike from the catalogue to enjoy it: a well-maintained gravel bike and a route with charm are enough for a great day out.

If Van der Poel's plan has made you a little jealous, find a gravel route near home for this weekend or take a look at all the second-hand bike listings in case your next riding companion is already waiting for you.