British Conor Swift poured cold water on his head after finishing third in the UCI Gravel World Championship, admitting it was one of the most difficult race days he has ever experienced.

"I think so...The British Ineos Grenadiers rider told cyclingnews and other media weary after crossing the finish line at Pieve di Soligo after almost 5 hours and a 167.7km race.

"I thought I was on a good day, but when the three of us ran away, it was full gas. Then they dropped me far away, so I went as deep as I could to get the medal. I am nailed, but I am satisfied with the third.

"For single track parts and high speed, early on was a selective race. It was a super tough day. When I was dropped, I was able to push a constant force high, but never more than 500 watts to hold them on the climb.

5 May, Swift won the Gralock Gravel Race in Scotland, which is part of the Uci Gravel World Series. He is part of the Ineos Grenadiers Classics squad and often chooses to train a gravel bike when he is at home.

His bronze medal and performance in Italy proved that he has multiple talents as well as World Tour road races. He hopes to have more gravel races in the future.

"It's nice to mix fields. It's good for our sponsors and the sport. Gravel is developing rapidly and it's fun," he said.

"I want to be a diverse kind of rider, someone who works well on roads, gravel and anything in between."

Swift probably still has to fully embrace the spirit of gravel. Instead of having a beer with other riders across the finish area, he dashes from the race to the airport and heads to the evening flight home, admitting that his only after-party and end-of-season celebration will be a big block of toblerone chocolate on the plane.