The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Pedali di Marca today announce details of the race routes for the second edition of the UCI Gravel World Championships taking place on 7-8 October in Veneto, Italy. All races will start at Lago Le Bandie in Treviso and conclude in Pieve di Soligo, situated 23km further north.
The course will take riders on a dynamic blend of gravel and paved roads, encompassing extensive flat stretches and challenging inclines. The Men Elite race covers 169km, while the Women Elite race spans 140km. Age group participants, racing over varying distances, will share the roads on the same days.
On Saturday, the women (Women Elite and all age categories) and the men in the 50+ age categories will set off at staggered intervals.
The race kicks off with a lap around Le Bandie lake, venue of the 2008 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, followed by a 30km flat section predominantly composed of gravel before the first hills emerge. Riders will cross the finish line for the first time after completing 46km.
A second loop to the northeast contains more paved segments but also a substantial increase in elevation, culminating with a second passage over the finish line after 86km. The final western loop starts with a 30km mix of short gravel and road segments, all on flat terrain.
The last 25km is the ultimate challenge, featuring two climbs, the last one particularly steep and culminating 5 kilometres before reaching the finish line in Pieve di Soligo. The 140km course includes an elevation gain of 1660m. For men over 65 and women over 50, the second loop is omitted, and the riders will proceed directly to the third loop, resulting in a total distance of 100km with an elevation gain of 1030m.
On Sunday, the Men Elite and male age group categories 19-49 will also set off at intervals. The race format mirrors that of Saturday, commencing with the same 46km loop towards Pieve di Soligo.
The second, north-eastern, loop is extended by 10km, featuring a broader circuit around Lago di Lago and the addition of the demanding Ca’ del Poggio climb after 85km.
The third loop also includes some extra distance, primarily on the flat sections, but maintains the same two challenging climbs as on Saturday. Sunday’s total distance spans 169km with an elevation gain of 1890m.
Discover the courses in detail:
