The chase for a spot at the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships heats up this Sunday at Gravelista in Seymour, Victoria. While the global qualifying series kicked off last week in Belgium, this is the first chance for riders to qualify on Australian soil.
Gravelista is the first of three Australian qualifiers leading up to the 2026 World Championships, which are scheduled for next October in Nannup, Western Australia.
A record field of 719 riders from eight different countries is set to contest the event, proving the growing popularity of the discipline down under.
The primary qualifying race covers 135 kilometers. The route begins with a 26km start loop, followed by two laps of a technical 43km local circuit, before riders reverse the start section back to the finish in Seymour.
A shorter 95km variant (which includes only one local loop) is available for older age groups seeking World Championships qualification.
In the Men’s Elite field, we’ll have to watch defending champion Brendon Johnston, last year’s runner-up, Tasman Nankervis, Australian Gravel Champion Mark O’Brien and National XC Champion James Kelly.
The Women’s Elite race will feature a tight battle between Brianna Samuhel, Sophie Byrne and New Zealand’s Sharlotte Lucas.
