2026 UCI GRAVEL WORLD SERIES
Guide and bidding procedure for the organization of a 2026 UCI Gravel World Series
Born in the US Midwest in 2005-2008 under the name of Gravel Grinders, Gravel races are recently booming in the cycling world where riders are looking for new challenges. After the States, other continents have embraced the concept in recent years and the Gravel races market is current booming worldwide
Focussing on both elites but also masters and cyclo tourists these events are a long-distance bike race on mainly unpaved roads and paths with an adventurous and often challenging route in the middle of nature. Organizers are often switching to the format to cope with the difficult process of getting approvals to hold road races or Gran Fondo on public.
After the launch in 2022 of the UCI Gravel Fondo World Series, The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) saw the initial 11 events worldwide in 4 continents grow to 35 events in 2025, mainly because of the many high level elite riders taking part as they love gravel, resulting in a very high level of media attention.
The 2026 UCI Gravel World Series (UGWS) comprises several qualifier events, leading to the yearly UCI Gravel World Championships which will take place in October 2026. These World Championships will crown the official UCI Gravel World Champions in different age groups, with the official “rainbow jerseys” and medals.
To build the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series calendar, the UCI is receiving applications from host regions and organizers which are willing to organize a world class cycling experience, to welcome cyclists coming from several nations.
The UCI has a long-term partnership with with Golazo Sports (Belgium) for the overall organization, coordination and marketing aspects of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series and are now expanding that partnership to also use Golazo’s experience and database of riders and media contacts to promote and spread the UCI Gravel World Series concept.
Minimum Criteria for a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier event
Before starting the bidding procedure, the organizer must ensure that their events fulfill the following minimum criteria:
The event must be registered on the international “Cycling for All” calendar and be recognized by the country’s National Federation;
The event must have the necessary authorizations and support by the local authorities;
The course must be approved by the local authorities;
The dates of the UCI Gravel World Series are protected.
Apart from the United States, Canada and Australia, a maximum of 2 events per country is allowed.
A third party liability insurance must be guaranteed by the organizer;
Agreement with the concerned National Federation must be reached concerning the need of licenses or the issuing of one day Licenses. Some countries National Federations don’t require day licenses.
UCI Gravel World Series Format
To standardize all the events in the UCI Gravel World Series (UGWS) and render them accessible to all cyclists, the UGWS will have a standard for course formats for all qualifier events. In addition to providing maximum safety guarantees (see Practical Organization Guide), the UGWS course standard must have the following features:
Format
Only single Gravel Races can be part of the UCI Gravel World Series
The objective of the series being to allow both competitive and recreational riders (and riders with or without a license) to compete in a single mass participation event, it is therefore not possible to create a separate UCI wave within a single event. All riders doing the event are part of the UCI Gravel World Series and are eligible to qualify for Worlds.
Length
The length of the Gravel Races must be between 50 and 175 km with some advice to have a longer distance as qualifier for the younger age groups and a shorter distance as qualifier for the older age groups. In case of a challenging course in the mountains, the distance should be shorter. There shall only be one official qualifying distance per age group. If two different courses are proposed, the organizer must confirm the qualifying distance applicable to each age group and publish such information before, both online and in briefings and communication materials shared with the riders.
Timekeeping and ranking
The event must be timed for all the participants, during the whole course. Timekeeping will provide an overall ranking for men and women per age group. The general principle is that only Gun time can be used for any UCI event.
Categories
The event must offer results in different categories and age groups, for both women and men:
Categories :
Elite
19 – 34y
35 – 39y
40 – 44y
45 – 49y
50 – 54y
55 – 59y
60 – 64y
65 – 65y
70 – 74y
75 – 79y
Granting of participation rights
Each qualifier event will grant a quota of participation rights for the UCI Gravel World Championships. The percentage of qualified athletes of each age group will be confirmed prior to the confirmation of the 2026 calendar.
A minimum of three participations right per age group is mandatory, but riders must finish the race to receive an entry for the World Championships.
Age groups per 5 years are created from the moment that one rider registers to form such age group.
Bidding Procedure
a) To apply for the UCI Gravel World Series, the organizer must certify that the applicant event fulfils all the conditions as described in the Practical Organization Guide and the visual guidelines
b) The organizer shall apply to the UCI Gravel World Series, by letter or by email, at the following address:
UCI – Union Cycliste Internationale Chemin de la Meléle 12 1860 Aigle Switzerland
E-mail: offroad@uci.ch
c) A UGWS delegate will evaluate the event. All the expenses of the UGWS delegate (return travel, local transport, accommodation, meals) are entirely borne by the organizer. A site visit before the event is mandatory for a new UGWS event.
d) The UGWS delegate evaluates the event and passes on a report to the UCI
e) The UCI Management Committee, advised by the UCI Mass Event Commission and the UGWS manager decides whether to include an event in the UCI Gravel World Series as of the following year.
f) The final decision will be sent to the organizer by e-mail. In case of a temporary refusal of the inclusion of the event in the UGWS, the organizer can apply again later, provided that the elements giving grounds for refusal have been corrected.
Allocation of Organization and Marketing Rights
Rights granted by Golazo Sports to the organizer of the UGWS qualifier event (LOC) and/or the National Cycling Federation (NF) of the host country
In order to assist the city/region or the NF of the host country and the LOC in the task of organizing a qualifier round of the UCI Gravel World Series, Golazo Sports accepts the following:
The LOC shall pay 20'000 Euros (€) for the organization rights of the UCI Gravel World Series qualifier event;
The LOC has the right to use the UCI logo on UCI Gravel World Series designs and/or a mascot chosen by the OC subject to approval by the UCI and Golazo Sports;
The LOC is entitled to use the design and the mascot for marketing and other initiatives if these are approved by Golazo Sports and are in accordance with the provisions of the organization agreement;
The LOC is entitled to retain one hundred per cent (100%) of all gross revenue (in cash, goods or services) deriving from the use of the design and/or mascot, in accordance with the terms of the organization agreement;
The UCI / Golazo Sports grants to the LOC seventy per cent (70%) of the advertising space available at the location and around the course of the UGWS qualifier event.
The LOC is entitled to retain a hundred per cent (100%) of all gross revenue deriving from entry fees of the participants.
Golazo Sports
Organizers’ Rights Marketing
Golazo Sports holds all the marketing and sponsorship rights to the 2021-2030 UCI Gravel World Series. Nevertheless, the UGWS grants the LOC an average of 70% of all advertising space, depending on location. Golazo Sports will inform the organizers of any partnerships before conclusion of the contract.
Organizers and Golazo Sports commitment
Golazo Sports is the exclusive owner of worldwide media rights of the 2021-2030 UCI Gravel World Series.
Services provided by Golazo Sports
General coordination of the UGWS (rules, general coordination, Global media, and administrative work).
General press service.
Production and maintenance of the global UGWS website, including one page per event and a clickthrough to the LOC website.
Announcement and promotion on the UCI Gravel World Series website.
Worldwide promotion of the UCI Gravel World Series.
Direct marketing e-mailing (worldwide).
Promotion of the events with international travel agencies, specialized in cycling holidays.
UGWS medal for each qualified rider.
Winner jersey for first men and women for each age group
Organisers’ Guide and specific Visual Guidelines.
Services provided by the Organizer
Implementation of all sponsors, both organizers as Golazo Sports sponsors, if applicable.
Implementation of the UGWS visual guidelines
Submit communication to the approval of the UCI Gravel World Series.
Submit all materials/communication supports for approval before production.
Promotion of the UGWS concept and calendar;
Provide participant database (name, address and email) to the UGWS on the last working day before the event so that the UGWS is able to contact the qualified riders directly after the event.
Organization, infrastructure, safety and insurance
Candidature File
Formal considerations
Candidatures for the UCI Gravel World Series should be presented in the following format:
o A4 format,
o Typewritten and digital
o Text in English or French,
o Color plans, diagrams and photographs,
The UGWS ‘s evaluation is based on the contents of the candidature file and not on its presentation.
File contents
The candidature file delivered to the UGWS must illustrate the host town’s or National Federation’s capacity to embrace an event of this magnitude. Consequently, it is imperative that the conditions for the general organization (site, course, premises, transport, emergency services and, accessibility) of the UCI Gravel World Series can be fulfilled. In particular, the candidate must provide concise descriptions of the following considerations:
A. Site
Geographical location/situation (distance from the airport, motorway, big city);
Accessibility
Connections to road network
Proximity to airport
Accommodation capacity (hotels), etc.
Start and finish area
Parking facilities
Participants facilities (showers, changing rooms, secured bike park, )
B. Course map / road book
C. Course details
Refreshment stations + detailed description (products, manpower, etc.)
Altitude profile + climbs
Safety plan
D Official hotel
E. Safety (map showing the central medical post, medical posts on the course, ambulance access to difficult to reach offroad sections…)
F. Detailed budget
G. Support & approvals (to be provided in English or French language)
Letter of support from the host National Federation on UCI CPT registration form in PDF
Letter of approval (course and organization) by the local authorities
Schedule and steps for presenting a candidature
Presentation of a Candidature for the organization of a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier event Letter of candidature and bidding file to be submitted before the deadline: 31 07.2025
To the attention of:
UCI – Union Cycliste Internationale Mass participation Chemin de la Meléle 12 1860 Aigle Switzerland
E-mail: offroad@uci.ch
Between the date of presentation of the candidature and the next meeting of the UCI Management Committee, there will be evaluations, technical and logistical visits (if necessary), assessments of budgets and marketing packages.
Award of the UCI Gravel World Series by the UCI Management Committee: The award of the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series qualifier events will take place between 1.09.2025 and 30 09.2025
Bids will not be confirmed before:
a) A contract is sent to each organizer (or host national federation) that needs to be duly signed with appendixes. This contract will be signed between Golazo and the local organizer with the UCI as a signing witness.
b) Golazo Sports will provide a pre-recommendation on bids retained for the awarding procedure. Bids will only be considered for the awarding procedure provided that they comply with the Series requirements and that a contract has been duly signed beforehand.
