More than 2,000 riders to line up for a taste of UCI Gravel World Championships course at SEVEN in Nannup

The SEVEN gravel race in Nannup, Western Australia, is set to attract over 2,000 riders eager to experience the course that will host the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships later this year. This event, part of the UCI Gravel World Series since its inception in 2022, has seen remarkable growth from just 235 participants in 2018 to a record-breaking turnout this May. The race’s rising international profile is underscored by entrants from 29 countries, highlighting its status as one of the premier gravel events globally. Stephen Gallagher, the event and race director, emphasised that the expansion of SEVEN has been instrumental in bringing the World Championships to Nannup. He credited the event’s success to the strong community support and the region’s stunning landscapes, which have helped build a snowball effect of interest and participation. The 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships in Bolero is expected to see nearly 3,000 riders, a figure not far removed from the numbers anticipated at SEVEN this year, signalling the event’s growing prestige. Among the competitors are notable Australian riders, including defending champions Tiffany Cromwell and Mark O’Brien, both national champions and previous UCI Gravel World Series winners. The field also features former winners Brendan Johnston and Tasman Nankervis, as well as Adam Blazevic, who is making a comeback after recovering from a serious training accident. Other prominent Australian cyclists such as Mark Chong, Cassia Boglio, Kane Richards, Tristan Nash, and Matilda Raynolds will also be competing, adding depth and local interest to the race. The SEVEN course itself is a challenging 125-kilometre route that begins and ends in Nannup, traversing the Blackwood Valley with over 3,000 metres of vertical ascent. The terrain is predominantly gravel, accounting for more than 80% of the course, which tests riders’ endurance and technical skills. Alongside the main event, shorter races of varying distances offer opportunities for a wider range of participants to engage with the gravel racing experience. With the 2026 World Championships on the horizon, SEVEN’s continued growth and international appeal position it as a key fixture in the gravel racing calendar. The event not only showcases the natural beauty of Western Australia but also strengthens the country’s presence in the global gravel racing community, setting the stage for a highly anticipated championship showdown.