'Relentless from start to finish' – this year's Gravel World Championships courses have been announced, and they look brutal

The UCI Gravel World Championships will take place in Nannup, Australia, on the weekend of 10-11 October, marking the first time the event is hosted outside Europe. The courses have been revealed to feature at least 80% gravel terrain combined with relentless climbing, promising a challenging race for participants. The men's elite race covers 141km with 3,625 metres of elevation, while the women's elite course spans 123km with 3,100 metres of climbing, sharing the same route except for a small northern loop excluded from the women’s race. The demanding profiles are comparable to the climbing intensity of a Grand Tour Queen stage when adjusted for distance. Race director Stephen Gallagher, a former professional cyclist and current head of performance at Canyon-SRAM, described the courses as “relentless from start to finish,” with continuous climbs and the toughest sections reserved for the final kilometres. The wide gravel roads are designed to encourage tactical group racing, a feature not often seen at this level of gravel competition. Gallagher emphasised that the courses offer a unique gravel experience, blending technical challenge with the natural beauty and wildlife of the Australian setting, although riders will hope to avoid close encounters with the local fauna during the race. In addition to the elite events, the women’s course will also be used for the men’s over-50 age group, while a shorter 90km route with 2,000 metres of climbing has been set for the 65+ men and 50+ women categories. Some riders may be familiar with the medium course, as it is part of the Seven Gravel World Series event held locally in May. Although parts of the course traverse private land and are not open for public training, there are alternative routes nearby for those preparing ahead of the championships. The announcement of these demanding courses highlights the growing prominence and evolution of gravel racing on the international stage. Hosting the championships in Australia introduces new terrain and climatic challenges, potentially influencing race dynamics and strategies. With such a tough and tactical layout, the event is set to test riders’ endurance and skill, while also expanding the global appeal of gravel cycling.