The Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series continues this weekend with three qualifying events spread across two continents. From the gravel roads of Girona in Spain to the forests of Estonia and the high-altitude challenges of California, riders will have one more opportunity to secure qualification for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships.
Sea Otter Europe Girona attracts the stars
Sea Otter Europe Girona (ESP), traditionally one of the strongest fields of the entire Gravel World Series season. The Catalan gravel festival has become a favourite destination for many of the world’s top gravel specialists, with numerous elite riders using the event as their final competitive test ahead of the UCI Gravel World Championships.
Series leader Petr Vakoc (CZE) and last year’s winner Daan Soete (BEL) with get big competition from a parade of gravel stars with multiple winners of the UCI Gravel World Series races this season.
In the women elite 2024 World Champion Marianne Vos (NED) is the big favorite, but also last year’s winner Nicole Frain (AUS), Caroline Schiff (GER), Jade Treffeisen (GER), Rosa Kloser (GER) and her compatriots Larissa Hartog (NED) and Geerike Schreurs (NED) will be keen to take victory.
This year’s race features a renewed course of 109 kilometres. The route is considered less demanding than previous editions, featuring significantly less climbing than last year’s course. The more accessible profile is expected to encourage fast racing and larger groups deep into the event. Organizers expect between 700 and 800 participants.
Adding further prestige, the race will be broadcast live on Eurosport and YouTube, allowing fans from around the world to follow the action as the battle unfolds on the roads surrounding the Catalan city.
Estonia welcomes a new qualifier
While Girona hosts many of the sport’s established stars, the Tartu Bike Marathon (EST) marks an exciting new addition to the Gravel World Series calendar and the biggest event of the weekend with 3400 starters.
The event covers 126 kilometres between Otepää and Elva, taking riders through the rolling landscapes and forests of southern Estonia. Although new to the Gravelking Gravel World Series, the organizing team is far from inexperienced.
The Estonian race has attracted a particularly notable celebrity duo. Former Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas, well known for his passion for gravel cycling, will line up alongside his partner Tiffany Cromwell, one of the most accomplished riders in women’s gravel racing.
400 riders will do the full 126km as qualifier for the younger categories. The 83km as qualifier for the older riders has 1500 riders at the starts. Shorter 39 and 21km distances are offered for riders not interested in qualifying for the World Championships.
Mammoth TUFF brings altitude challenge in California
On the opposite side of the globe, riders will tackle one of the most demanding events on the American calendar at Mammoth TUFF (USA).
Set in the spectacular surroundings of Mammoth Lakes, California, the event is one of only two U.S. qualifiers for the Gravel World Series and presents a very different challenge from the European races.
The elite qualification distance covers 89 miles (143 km) and includes approximately 7,500 feet (2,250 metres) of elevation gain. The race’s defining challenge comes after the halfway turnaround in the spectacular Red Rock Canyon, where riders face a relentless 16-mile climb averaging 4.3%.
Combined with the high-altitude environment of Mammoth Lakes, the long climb is expected to play a decisive role in determining both the race winners and the riders securing qualification places for the World Championships.
For older age categories, qualification opportunities are offered through a shorter 67-mile course.
