Gravel events not to be missed this year

The season’s not over yet! Even though the summer holidays are ending, there’s still some gravel events not to be missed this summer, from races to test yourself against the clock  to festivals dedicated to gravel to try it out or even test a bike.

Here’s some of the main gravel events that are coming up soon :

The New one : Gravel Fever in Châtellerault, Central France. 13th - 14nd september 2024

THE new event of the year, Gravel Fever will unite gravel obsessives, those who want to try it out and their families and friends in the Poitou region of France. The French Cycling Federation is co organising the event, and it’s not to be missed! 

We’ll be there.

There’s a distance for everyone:

• Ultra - 400 km

• Race - 160 km

• Adventure - 120 km

• Duo - 80 km

• Discovery - 50 km

• Free - 25 km

👉 Find out about the Gravel Fever Festival here

The original : Roc d’Azur in Fréjus, south of France. 9th - 13th October 2024

In the heart of the Maures and Esterel mountains, the Roc d’Azur is one of the biggest MTB event in the world. Started in 1984, today over 20,000 riders take part. There is a full program of rides and races with something for everyone.

New routes have been added recently, including for gravel, cross triathlon, Emtb and even trail running and hiking. 

For gravel there’s 2 rides:

• Non timed gravel rides of 49 or 70km

• The race “Gravel Roc” of 65km

👉 Find out about the Roc d’Azur here

The Cycling Event in Aubagne on April 12th, 13th, and 14th, 2025

Centered around cycling adventure and gravel riding, the event offers 7 different formats for all levels: bikepacking, racing, discovery (gravel, mountain biking, e-biking), and ultra-distance. It's an opportunity to explore Angers, its towpaths, and the banks of the Loire in a friendly and festive atmosphere. Workshops, evening events, and a forum are also organized.

Here are the different program formats:

• 3 rides (gravel, road cycling, and mountain biking)

• 1 balance bike challenge

• 1 exclusive test center

• 1 street bike race through the streets of Aubagne's old town

• 1 exclusive test center

👉 Discover The Cycling Event

The International Gravel Races

There’s plenty of gravel races around the world to choose from. We’ve chosen two of the highest profile ones which bring together elite riders from across many cycling disciplines, and gives amateurs a chance to test themselves on challenging courses against the clock.

We’ve tested four of them :

• The Traka 200km around Girona

• Wish One Millau Grands Causses in the south of France

• Nature is Bike 100km and 300km

• And recently all the team participated in the BikingMan 555 Vercors (500 km, 12 000m D+ to be achieved in 55H max!) : an asphalt race at 80% with connecting sections on tracks representing 20% of the total mileage !

Gravel Earth Series

The first edition of the Gravel Earth Series of races has taken place in 2023, uniting 6 top gravel races around the world. The stages are The Traka in Spain, Nature is Bike in France, Migration Gravel Race in Kenya, Octopus in Switzerland, The Rift in Iceland, Bergslagen NGS in Sweden and the final stage which will be in Cardona, Catalonia in September.

👉 Find out about the Gravel Earth Series here.

UCI Gravel World Series

Created in 2022, this circuit of races is the pinnacle of the UCI’s gravel calendar. Riders have come to gravel from across the other disciplines in search of the precious UCI rainbow jersey. This year there’s 16 events on the calendar on every continent. 

Each race is an opportunity for people to qualify for the World Championships which will be in Veneto, Northern Italy on the 7th and 8th October this year. The top 25% of each age category of both sexes automatically qualify for the finals.

All sorts of riders take part in the qualifying races - at the front end are elites and pros, and towards the back are amateurs and equally as passionate cyclists who want to take part in a race with the pros.

Did you know…? Ali Gibb, one of our guides, will be racing in Veneto this year having won her category in Millau in June. Chapeau!

👉 Find out about the UCI Gravel World Series here.

And you, ready to put on a bib?