Nannup, Australia hosts UCI Gravel World Championships

The UCI Gravel World Championships are being held in Nannup, Western Australia, marking the first time the event has taken place outside of Europe. The competition features a course that differs significantly from previous European editions, which often included paved surfaces and cobbles due to regional constraints.

The Nannup course is composed of approximately 84% to 85% gravel. The elite men will compete on a 144km route with 3,713 meters of elevation gain, while the elite women will face a 125.6km course with 3,179 meters of elevation gain.

Race director Stephen Gallagher described the course as having relentless, continuous climbs ranging from one to three kilometers in length, with the most difficult sections saved for the end of the race. Race ambassador Tiffany Cromwell noted that the terrain favors traditional gravel racing over road-style racing by minimizing the impact of positioning and short accelerations.