The Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series heads north this weekend for one of its most exciting additions of the 2026 season as Falling Leaves Lahti makes its debut on the international qualifying circuit. While new to the UCI Gravel World Series, the event is already a well established name in Scandinavian gravel racing through its long-standing place on the Nordic Gravel Series, combining Finnish forests, rolling terrain and fast gravel roads around the outdoor sports city of Lahti.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Not only does Saturday’s race offer riders one of the final opportunities to qualify for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Australia, which are now just four weeks away, but Falling Leaves Lahti has already been designated as one of the first qualifying events for the 2027 UEC Gravel European Championships. Those championships will also take place in Lahti, giving riders an early opportunity to test themselves on terrain that will host Europe’s biggest gravel title event next year.
The inaugural UCI Gravel World Series qualifier has attracted an impressive international field. The UCI qualifying races will welcome 322 riders, while the overall Falling Leaves Lahti festival gathers 642 participants representing 23 nationalities.
Strong women’s field
Several of the sport’s leading names will headline the women’s competition. Dutch star Wendy Oosterwoud arrives as one of the favourites after another consistent international season, while former road professional Romy Kasper brings vast racing experience to the Finnish gravel roads.
They will face challenges from Dutch rider Maaike Coljé, British contender Lucy Hempstead, Dutch Elisa Serné, and Australia’s Tiffany Cromwell, one of the most recognisable figures in international gravel racing.
Deep men’s competition
The men’s field is equally strong, featuring riders from across Europe and beyond. Among the leading contenders are Lukas Malezsewski, Danish riders Tobias Morch Köngsted and Magnus Bak Klaris, Dutch challenger Rick Ottema, Germany’s Lucas Dressler, Swiss rider Joel Sutter, Irish cycling legend Nicholas Roche, and defending Falling Leaves champion Fredrik Rassmann, who returns to Finland aiming to add another victory to his palmarès.
World Series ranking reaches a crucial stage
Beyond the race for World Championship qualification, Lahti could also have a significant impact on the overall 2026 UCI Gravel World Series ranking, serving as start order for the World Championships. The women’s competition has already been decided after Dutch rider Wendy Oosterwoud secured the overall series victory at last weekend’s The Wolf in Denmark. By finishing third, Oosterwoud extended her advantage to 655 points, an insurmountable margin with only 600 points still available over the remaining events of the season.
The men’s standings, however, remain wide open. Although Czech star Petr Vakoc spent much of the summer comfortably at the top of the rankings, his lead has steadily reduced after scoring relatively few points during August and September. Heading into Lahti, Vakoc’s advantage over Lukas Malezsewski (BEL) stands at just 50 points. With Vakoc absent from the start line in Finland, Malezsewski needs only a 16th-place finish to move into the overall lead. And with two more qualifying weekends still to come after Lahti, the battle for the men’s UCI Gravel World Series ranking is far from over. 🚴♂️🏆
Two distances, one goal
Riders seeking qualification for the World and European Championships will tackle a demanding 175 km course. This distance serves as the official qualifier for elite riders as well as men aged 19-59 and women aged 19-49. Older age categories will compete over a 95 km course.
A glimpse of the future
For many riders, this weekend offers more than the chance to secure a championship start place. It is also an early look at the venue that will host the 2027 UEC Gravel European Championships. With European titles set to be decided in Lahti next year, riders, teams and organisers will all be paying close attention to how the Finnish venue delivers its first Gravel World Series event. The European Championships will be held on a different course, but the characteristics will be the same.
As the road to Nannup 2026 enters its final phase and the countdown to Lahti 2027 begins, Falling Leaves Lahti promises to be a memorable new chapter for gravel racing in Northern Europe. 🚴♂️🍂🚴♀️
