Tag: Gravel

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The 5 Best Gravel Events You’ve Never Heard Of

The 5 Best Gravel Events You’ve Never Heard Of

Many of the big gravel races on the calendar didn’t all start that way. Many events start with humble beginnings, and the experience ignites a fire that fuels exponential growth. 

Here a few events that haven’t yet exploded on the scene, and you can ride them before they do.

FURTHER

Further gravel race

(Image credit: Further)

I don’t have much to say about this race due to the website being mysterious, yet terribly intriguing. From Laurens ten Dam beinh quoted as, “I thought I’d done some hard things in my life before, but this smashes everything” to Emma Pooley stating the race was “the most beautiful, challenging, and happy experience I’ve ever had on a bike,” this is one for the toughest of riders.

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UCI confirms gravel worlds in Italy in October, four new events on Women’s WorldTour

UCI confirms gravel worlds in Italy in October, four new events on Women's WorldTour

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Don’t miss a moment from Paris-Roubaix and Unbound Gravel, to the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and everything in between when you
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The first UCI-sanctioned world championship for the rainbow stripes in gravel will be in Italy in October.

The UCI confirmed Thursday the Veneto region in the northeast Italy will host the first UCI gravel worlds October 8-9.

Italy will also host the UCI’s gravel worlds in 2023. The host cities will be announced later, officials said.

Four new events on Women’s WorldTour

The UCI also confirmed four new events on the Women’s WorldTour.

Four new events will join in 2023: The Women’s Santos Tour Down Under, which had UCI ProSeries status in 2020 then was cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE Tour, a new event which joins the existing men’s competition, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, which moves from UCI ProSeries status to UCI Women’s WorldTour status, and the Tour de Suisse, also moving from UCI ProSeries status to UCI Women’s WorldTour status.

Gree-Tour of Guangxi canceled

Races at the Gree-Tour of Guangxi in October are canceled for 2022.

The race was scheduled for October 13-18, and it marks the third year in a row the event is canceled due to the world pandemic. A women’s race is also canceled.

That means the final UCI’s final men’s WorldTour event will be Il Lombardia. The 2022 UCI Women’s WorldTour will end on 15 October, the last day of the Tour of Chongming Island, China, which is still on the schedule.

The UCI Management Committee also confirmed that the date of the end of the 2022 road season remains 18 October. This is the date of the last day of the Tour de Langkawi (UCI ProSeries), which will take place in Malaysia from October 11-18.

With the men’s WorldTour licenses up for grabs, the Langkawi tour could see a stellar field of teams desperate to chase points.

RideLondon Classique put on notice

The UCI put organizers of the RideLondon Classique (Great Britain) on notice after not providing required live TV coverage of each stage, but only of the last stage.

This constitutes a breach of the UCI Regulations and of the specifications that every organizer of the UCI Women’s WorldTour is required to respect, the UCI said Thursday.

The event’s place on the 2023 calendar is conditional to the presentation of firm commitments concerning the live TV broadcasting of all the stages.

In the meantime, the Management Committee has taken the decision to register the RideLondon Classique in the UCI ProSeries class for the 2023 season.

For the UCI, daily live TV coverage of the UCI Women’s WorldTour events “is fundamental to ensure its continued international development,” a statement read. A final decision on the status of this race will be taken at the UCI Management Committee meeting in September.

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TransRockies Gravel Royale looks ahead to inaugural event | Canal Flats, Columbia Valley, East Kootenay, Elk Valley, Fernie, Invermere, Ktunaxa Nation

TransRockies Gravel Royale looks ahead to inaugural event | Canal Flats, Columbia Valley, East Kootenay, Elk Valley, Fernie, Invermere, Ktunaxa Nation

Registration spots are still available for the inaugural TransRockies Gravel Royale

As the summer race season approaches, TransRockies Race Series, the global leader in adventure stage races, is looking forward to a successful inaugural TransRockies Gravel Royale gravel stage race August 22-25.

Riders: Ned Woods, left, and Travis Hauck

Initially set for August 2021, COVID-19 restrictions canceled all events in British Columbia’s Interior. The gravel stage race will now debut in August 2022, and there are still registration spots available for interested riders.

The TransRockies Gravel Royale course kicks off at Panorama Mountain Resort and tours some of the most scenic and challenging gravel routes in British Columbia. The route will also visit Nipika Mountain Resort and the Village of Canal Flats before finishing in the City of Fernie.

The four-day stage race will cover 375 km (233 miles) and around 7,000 m (23,000 ft) of climbing.

“After two years of planning, we can’t wait to bring the legendary TransRockies stage race experience to the gravel community,” said Aaron McConnell, President of TransRockies. “This part of British Columbia is so perfect for a wilderness gravel experience.”

As of April 1, a negative covid test is no longer required for fully vaccinated visitors to Canada, making the Gravel Royale even more accessible for riders coming from the United States and other parts of the world. Daily direct flights into Calgary International Airport are available from 85 destinations in 15 countries, including Denver, San Francisco, Minneapolis, New York, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and many more.

Continuing in 2022, TransRockies Gravel Royale will offer alternative options for riders, including a two-day “Ante Up” ride and a three-day E-Bike “Poker Ride.” The shorter options are ideal for riders who are looking to dip their toes into the stage race experience.

The stages of Gravel Royale will take riders on secluded gravel roads through the Canadian Rocky Mountains, traditional home to the Ktunaxa Nation. Riders will experience vast mountain views, native wildlife and winding stretches of gravel in this difficult, but achievable challenge.

The extensive network of well-maintained forest service roads in the region guarantee great riding and racing conditions.

After each stage, participants can anticipate a relaxing, fun and memorable time at camp. After 20 years, TransRockies has perfected their camp hospitality and provides all of the amenities riders could need. The TransRockies team transports gear/luggage, sets up tents at each stage, provides showers and prepares meals.

Each night, massage and athletic therapy stations are available along with mechanical support and a bike wash for participants. With all TransRockies stage races, the Chillville will make an appearance at Gravel Royale and will be equipped with music, snacks and a nice campfire for riders to socialize and hang out with other participants.

“People hang out for hours after the races and just hang out and talk about their day and celebrate the things that went well and laugh about the things that didn’t go so well,” said pro mountain biker Emma Maaranen.

“It’s pretty incredible. I haven’t been to races like that in years and years that have such a community feel to them.”

Don’t hesitate to register for TransRockies Gravel Royale! There are still spots available, however the event may sell out. Registration includes meals, tent camping, luggage transport, among other amenities. Registration link here.

The TransRockies Race Series operates 10 events over 32 days annually in the Western U.S. and Canada. Specializing in multi-day and endurance cycling and running events, TransRockies serves over 3,500 participants annually. The organization has operated over 200 days of stage racing since it was founded in 2002.

Photos submitted

TransRockies Gravel Royale