UCI launches a new Worldwide Series of Gravel Events

The UCI and Golazo are proud to present a new series of worldwide mass participation gravel events with races in 4 continents where riders can qualify for the new UCI Gravel World Championships which will be held in autumn.

UCI launches a new worldwide series of Gravel events

The date and location of these first World Championships will be communicated shortly.

Born in the US Midwest some 15 years ago under the name of Gravel Grinders, gravel events are the new highlight in cycling where riders are looking for new challenges. Other continents have embraced the concept in recent years and the gravel market is booming worldwide.

The plans for the series have been based on the existing and very successful UCI Gran Fondo World Series where riders can earn their spot for a yearly World Championship. In the new UCI Gravel World Series, the top 25% per age group and gender qualify for the UCI Gravel World Championships where the new world champions will be crowned with the coveted rainbow jersey in the different UCI age categories.

The only difference with Gran Fondo is that also top-level pro riders can take part and battle for the world titles. National federations can also send a national team to bring their best elite riders at the start without prior qualification.

The new Series will begin with a race in the Philippines on April 3^rd where the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series calendar will be launched with an 85km gravel event. The series will have a total of 13 events with 2 races in the United States, 2 in Australia and one event in each France, Poland, Holland, Mexico, Sweden, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

The UCI has chosen to not make the regulations too strict in the first years allowing any bike at the start (gravel bike, cyclo-cross bike, mountain bike, road bike…) to further evaluate in the upcoming years.

UCI President David Lappartient stated: “I am thrilled that we now have an exciting and rich calendar of gravel events for riders with an adventurous spirit who enjoy cycling on unsealed roads and paths. The best among them will earn the right to compete in the inaugural UCI Gravel World Championships, the details of which will be released soon. The UCI Gran Fondo World Series is incredibly popular, and I am convinced that this concept will be equally successful for the gravel format.”

2022 Trek UCI Gravel World Series

Trek will be the title partner of the 2022 Trek UCI Gravel World Series. The bike brand is pleased to connect their name to the Series. They’ve seen the popularity of gravel grow exponentially in recent years and believe that the gravel bike can and will offer new experiences and enjoyment for competitive and leisure riders alike – a bike for all purposes.

The Trek UCI Gravel World Series will be managed by Belgian Sports & Health company Golazo who has also coordinated the UCI Gran Fondo World Series since 2011.

April 3 – UCI Gravel Philippines, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija (Phl)
May 15 – Seven, Nannup (Aus)
June 5 – Wish One Gravel Race, Millau (Fra)
June 18 – Gravel Adventure, Swieradow-Zdroj (Pol)
June 25 – Highlands Gravel Classic, Fayetteville (USA)
Aug. 6 – Jingle GX Gravel Race, Amana (USA)
Aug. 20 – Gravel Grit n Grind, Halmstad (Swe)
Aug. 27 – Houffa Gravel, Houffalize (Bel)
Sept. 3 – La Monsterrato-Strade Bianche Monferrato, Quattordio (Ita)
Sept. 4 – Gravelista, Beechworth (Aus)
Sept. 17 – Gravel One Fifty, Veenhuizen (Ned)
Sept. 18 – Ranxo, Ponts (Spa)