The Gravel Earth Collection introduced 25 occasions throughout 15 international locations could be a part of a 3rd version for the gathering of competitions, with eight occasions in North America. A brand new scoring system will decide total winners to share in a prize purse boosted to €37,500 in prizes for 3 unbiased rankings – elite male, elite feminine and non-binary.
The opening and shutting occasions return to Spain, with La Santa Vall on February 15-16, revised to a two-day stage race, and the finale at Ranxo Gravel which is tentatively set for September 28, however the date continues to be to be confirmed.
The sequence added six races in North America together with the Festivus of Gravel and The Vary in western Canada and 4 within the US: the Misplaced & Discovered Bike Journey in California, CORE4 in Iowa, Gravel Worlds in Nebraska and Final Grizzly Gravel in Utah.
Gravel Worlds, which has been round for 16 years and trademarked the identify in 2021, was longing for the announcement on Thursday. Jason Strohbehn, lead promoter of Gravel Worlds advised Cyclingnews, “We have really been speaking to them since their first yr. We have not actually performed any race sequence or something like that previously, so we have been somewhat hesitant on doing something.
“We have actually seen the good work that they’ve performed world wide, and it was an excellent match to hitch World Earth Collection. We all know that they are attempting to do one thing completely different that brings lots of people collectively from world wide.”
The Traka, Migration Gravel Race, The Rift, Ranxo Gravel and a cease on the Nordic Gravel Collection are again, being 5 of the unique seven races from the 2023 launch. Off the schedule from the North America calendar this yr is Ukiah-Mendo Gravel in northern California, a part of the Grasshopper Journey Collection on April 27.
The gathering of unbiased races grew to twenty occasions in 13 international locations in 2024, Simen Nordahl Svendsen of Norway edged USA’s Griffin Easter for the lads’s title, whereas Polish rider Karolina Migoń accomplished a stable marketing campaign forward of US riders Sarah Sturm and Morgan Aguirre, who tied for second. Mattia De Marchi and Annabel Fisher have been topped champions within the first yr of the sequence.
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Factors supplied for scores within the Gravel Earth Collection are distributed from an ‘exponential scoring system’, scaled on the diploma of problem and stage of prominence. First-place finishers can rating 1,000 on the base occasions, and more difficult occasions then provide a rise in both 10% or 20% for factors on provide.
Rankings can be decided for elite ladies, elite males and non-binary classes based mostly on a sum of 4 of the very best scores of accomplished races on the calendar, with Ranxo Gravel a required race for closing standings. A complete purse of €37,500 can be distributed among the many prime 10 finishers in every of the three unbiased classes, every winner receiving €2,500.
Gravel Earth Collection organisers stress that the circuit offers occasions with trip choices for not simply the elite athletes, however amateurs as effectively, and supply alternatives to discover nice outside areas across the globe.
“Every occasion within the circuit can be a singular house for gathering and connection for all the neighborhood. Scenic worth is the first criterion for inclusion within the circuit, with a transparent emphasis on environmental respect and the promotion of sustainable, accountable gravel. This constitution of values has guided the Gravel Earth Collection from day one and can proceed to be the muse for a 2025 stuffed with journey,” an announcement learn in a Klassmark press launch.
US enlargement
Strohbehn stated a significant component to simply accept a spot within the sequence was a dedication by organisers, Klassmark, to protect ‘real’ gravel occasions and promote environmental sustainability. It might additionally elevate Gravel Worlds on the worldwide gravel scene.
“An enormous motivator for us, we actually need to showcase Nebraska’s magnificence. It actually is gorgeous right here. We’re a really difficult race with over 10,000 ft of climbing in 150 miles. We’re right here to have fun the quick folks, however undoubtedly there to have fun the those who are available final place too,” added Strohbehm.
“We love donating cash and serving to out Nebraska nonprofits. So with our $100,000 that we have dedicated in donations subsequent yr, a part of that can be offsetting our carbon footprint by way of donations to Arbor Day Basis.” He famous that Nationwide Arbor Day was based in Nebraska and is a civic vacation in that state.
Gravel Worlds has opened registrations for 2025, as have Festivus of Gravel, Misplaced & Discovered, Rebecca’s Non-public Idaho and Oregon Path Gravel Grinder from among the many North American lineup. CORE4 registration opens November 12 and The Final Grizzly registration opens November 15.
The Final Grizzly is a brand new gravel occasion, organised by the identical group which places on Oregon Path. Peter Stetina, who was third total in final yr’s Gravel Earth Collection, stated he thought the addition of races in North America was good for the expansion of the self-discipline, as “the Gravel Earth Collection crew is making a giant push into some American races. Their races are gravel-bike centered,” he advised Cyclingnews.
“We’re excited to haven’t one however two of our premier gravel occasions included within the 2025 Gravel Earth Collection,” stated race director Chad Sperry of Breakaway Promotions.
“Final yr we noticed a big enhance in our complete registrations in addition to the deepest professional area we’ve got needed to date on the Oregon Path Gravel Stage Race. Now we’ve got the privilege of together with the Final Grizzly Gravel Stage Race within the 2025 sequence. One large focus we share with the Gravel Earth Collection is working to scale back our affect on the atmosphere whereas producing a prime stage occasion for all to take pleasure in.”
Michigan’s Barry Roubaix, happening April 12, was anticipated to be included for an inaugural look within the Gravel Earth Collection, however organisers stated there simply wasn’t sufficient time to regulate plans for inclusion.
“We won’t be part of the GES for the approaching season. We have been invited just some weeks in the past however our registration opens this Saturday and sells out shortly,” race Co-Director Matt Acker advised Cyclingnews.” We did not suppose there was sufficient time to get every thing to be able to affect our occasion, and did not need points with riders wishing to take part however lacking the registration if that is smart. Maybe subsequent yr!”
Gravel Earth Collection calendar 2025
Base occasions
- March 1 Giro Pio (Costa Rica) – 100 miles ‘giant’ MTB route
- June 7 Festivus of Gravel (Thorsby, Alberta, Canada) – 183 ‘the Horrible’
- June 14 Highway to Desolation (Graaff-Reinet, South Africa) – 111 miles
- June 26-29 Brutal Gravel (Terrojo Sachica, Colombia) – 54 miles
- July 19-20 The Vary (Claresholm, Alberta, Canada) – 70 miles
- July 26 Monegros Desert Competition (Fraga, Spain) – tbd
+10% rating occasions
- February 15-16 Santa Vall (Girona, Spain) – stage race, 127 miles over two days
- March 29 The Hills (Treviso, Italy) – 103 miles
- April 11-13 Ibereólic Gravel Tierra de Campos 360 (Castile and León, Spain) – stage race, 165 miles over three days
- Could 3 The Traka 200 (Girona, Spain) – 124.2 miles
- June 14 Misplaced & Discovered Gravel Competition (Portola, California) – “Full Bull” 100 miles
- July 6 Gravel Mexico (El Mastranto, Actual de Catorce, Mexico) – 150 miles
- July 12-13 Alpin Gravel Problem (Switzerland) – tbd
- July 19 The Rift (Hvolsvöllur, Iceland) – 124 miles
- August 2 Megre Gravel (Zarasai, Lithuania) – 93 miles
- August 8-10 Gravel Weekend (Tukums, Latvia) – 90 miles
- August 16 CORE4 (Iowa Metropolis, Iowa) – 100 miles
- August 29 Rebecca’s Non-public Idaho (Solar Valley, Idaho) – stage race, 200 miles over 4 days
- September 6 Falling Leaves Lahti (Lahti, Finland) – 112 miles
- September 13 Saga Gravel (Paredones, Chile) – 93 miles
- September 19-21 Final Grizzly Gravel (Ogden, Utah) – 270 miles over three days
+20% rating occasions
- Could 2 The Traka 360k (Girona, Spain) – 223.7 miles
- June 17-20 Migration Gravel Race (Kenya) – stage race, 404 miles over 4 days
- June 25-29 Oregon Path Gravel Grinder (Bend, Oregon) – stage race, 350 miles over 5 days
- August 23 Lauf Gravel Worlds (Lincoln, Nebraska) – 150 miles
- September 28 (tbc) Ranxo Gravel (Ponts, Spain) – Gravel Earth Last – 100 miles
