UCI Gravel World Series

Gravel cycling has a rich and long history, tracing its origins back to the earliest days of cycling. When cycling races started to emerge some 150 years ago, most roads in the world were unpaved and only city centers had cobbles and pavements. Extensive paving outside urban centers did not become common until the 20th century. This meant that the original cyclists were, in essence, gravel cyclists, navigating the dirt and gravel roads that connected towns and cities.

(Re)born in the US Midwest around 2005 under the name of Gravel Grinders, Gravel events are referring to these early days of cycling, creating a new hype in the cycling world where riders are looking for new challenges. After the States, other continents have embraced the concept 10 years later and the Gravel market is current booming worldwide.

Focussing on both elites but also masters and amateurs these events are a long distance bike race on mainly unpaved roads and paths with an adventurous and often challenging route in the middle of nature.  Organizers are often switching to the format to cope with the difficult process of getting approvals to hold road races on public roads.  It’s the hybrid form of cycling combining elements of mountainbike, cyclocross and road events.

The UCI Gravel World Series is a series of UCI-sanctioned races held all over the world. Some 20-30 qualifier events will qualify the top 25% in each age group to the UCI Gravel World Championships where the champions are awarded with the coveted UCI rainbow jersey.

The UCI Gravel World Series are based on the very successful UCI Gran Fondo World Series who were launched in 2011 as road qualifier series for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships with events up to 8000 riders and a yearly World Championships with 3000 participants. The UCI Gravel World Series has quickly evolved towards a high level elite gravel competition.

The major success of gravel races are the discovery of new hidden backcountry roads where riders of all level, from worldtour elite level to amateurs can all share the same routes during these mass participation events.

The UCI Gravel World Series concept is focusing on both very competitive riders from the Pro Elite rider level to older riders who still want to compete at a high level at a later age, but also to fun riders who like to keep fit and finish the event.

In a partnership with renown Belgian sports marketing agency Golazo who is also managing the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, the UCI has created these Gravel World Series. This partnership will be responsible for the overall organization, coordination and marketing aspects of the UCI Gravel World Series qualifier events.