The first UCI Gravel race in Austria being held this weekend in Velden-am-Woerthersee has been designed by former pro rider and M40 UCI Gravel World Champion Johnny Hoogerland who created a course with start and finish in his hometown at the Woerthersee lake.
The organizers decided to limit the number of participants for this first edition to 1000 announcing a complete sell-out one month ahead of the event.
The 49km lap needs to be done three times for the elites and younger categories while the older age groups finish after two laps. Along the course there is a 2km steep climb with parts up to 20% and another less steep climb a few kilometres before the finish line. Much of the route meanders along the scenic Grau river.
The race welcomes a selection of real gravel specialists as Johnny gets competition from Daniel Oss, Mattia de marchi, Paul Voss, Sebastian Schonberger, Jan Bakelants, Peter Vakoc and his compatriots Jasper Ockeloen, Laurens ten Dam and Ivar Slik in the men’s race while Tessa Neefjes, Carolin Schiff and Geerike Schreurs have signed up for the women’s category in this first race in the 2024 TREK UCI Gravel World Series.
