The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to reveal the race routes for the first edition of the UCI
Gravel World Championships. The different races will take place in the Veneto region of Italy, the weekend
of 8-9 October 2022.
The races for the different categories will start in Vicenza then pass through Padova before arriving in the municipality of Cittadella.
The courses will be about three-quarters made up of typical Italian white gravel sections – similar to those found in the Strade Bianche, the well-known UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour events – and cobbled sections. The remaining quarter will be made up of asphalt roads. In the first 20 kilometres there are two climbs totalling 3 km, one on gravel and one on asphalt, with gradients of around 10%. The course will take in many important cultural sites in the region including the medieval walled city of Cittadella, which is located 25 km north-east of Vicenza and will host the finish.
The women (Women Elite and all age categories) and the men in the 50+ age categories will compete on Saturday, on a course of 140 km with 700 m of ascent. The Men Elite will compete on Sunday over 190 km with 800 m of ascent: the same course as Saturday plus two laps of 25km. Men in the age groups 19-49 years will also race on Sunday, completing one extra lap for a total distance of 165km.
The Men Elite and Women Elite riders – members of UCI-registered teams or with a wild card from their National Federation – who win their event will be awarded the UCI World Champion’s rainbow jersey. Riders taking part in the mass participation events for their respective age category will compete for the UCI World Champion jersey specially designed for the age group winners. Races in the different categories will start in waves with small intervals.
Riders can qualify for the UCI Gravel World Championships at Trek UCI Gravel World Series events by finishing in the top 25% of their age category and gender. In addition, National Federations are entitled to send a selection of their best riders.
Qualification system for the 2022 UCI Gravel World Championships
UCI President David Lappartient said: “After the launch of a UCI World Series and the awarding of the first two editions of the UCI Gravel World Championships, the announcement of the 2022 UCI World Championship courses is a decisive step in the integration of this discipline by the UCI. Gravel is booming and is part of the unprecedented development that cycling has been undergoing for several years, particularly in its off-road variants. This development also shows the population’s desire for nature and its growing awareness of the issue of sustainable development. It also shows the dynamism of our increasingly popular sport.
For more information: section dedicated to the 2022 UCI Gravel World Championships on the UCI website
