UCI Gravel World Championship 2024: All information about the Gravel World Championship in Belgium
Thomas Huber
· 04.10.2024
Gravel World Championship - the schedule
There will be a total of 15 races at the 2024 Gravel World Championships. In addition to the two elite races for women and men, there will be additional competitions for the different age groups. For women, there are five additional races for riders aged 19 and over, and eight for men. This is the schedule:
Saturday, 5 October 2024
- 12:00 pm: Start women's elite in Halle
- 12:15 pm: Start men age group 50-54 in Halle
- 12:17 pm: Start men age group 55-59 in Halle
- 12:19 pm: Start men age group 60-64 in Halle
- 12:20 pm: Start women age group 19-34 in Halle
- 12:21 pm: Start women age group 35-39 in Halle
- 12:22 pm: Start women age group 40-44 in Halle
- 12:23 pm: Start women age group 45-49 in Halle
- 12:24 pm: Start men age group 65+ in Halle
- 12:25 pm: Start women age group 50+ in Halle
- from approx. 3 pm: women's elite finish in Leuven
- followed by the finish of all other races in Leuven
Sunday, 6 October 2024
- 12:00 pm: Start men's elite in Halle
- 12:05 pm: Start men age group 19-34 in Halle
- 12:07 pm: Start men age group 15-39 in Halle
- 12:09 pm: Start men age group 40-44 in Halle
- 12:11 pm: Start men age group 45-49 in Halle
- from approx. 16:25: Men's elite finish in Leuven
- followed by the finish of all other races in Leuven
Gravel World Championship - the routes
The Gravel World Championship takes place for the first time in Flanders, Belgium. All races start in the town Hallwhich is located to the south and not far from the capital Brussels. The riders then head through the forests of Brabant before heading north-east to the finish line. All races of the 2024 Gravel World Championships will finish in the university city Leuven. The route leads over a mix of forest and agricultural paths, cobblestones and tarmac and includes many short, tough climbs. There are three different routes at the 2024 Gravel World Championships:
Elite men
The longest of the distances is covered by the elite men and the men aged between 19 and 49. It stretches over 181 kilometres.
The men's races start in Halle, where a short circuit heading north is contested at the beginning. The race then heads north-east from Halle through the Flemish forests of Hallerbos and Zonienwoud. There are many tough climbs along the way, including the highest point of the race in this section. Once in the finish town of Leuven, a loop follows in a southerly direction through the Meerdaalwoud, which is ridden twice. After 181 kilometres, the race ends in Leuven.
Elite women
At the Gravel World Championships, the elite women cover a distance of 134 kilometres back. The route is identical to that of the men's race, except that the circuit around Leuven is only ridden once. In addition to the elite race, the men in the 50 to 64 age group and the women in the 19 to 49 age group cover the same route.
Age groups
The competitions for men in the 65+ age group and women in the 50+ age group cover a distance of 86 kilometres back. The course is the same as the other races, but the circuit around Leuven is omitted for those age groups.
The regulations for the 2024 Gravel World Championships
Qualification
In order to qualify for the Gravel World Championships, there is the UCI Gravel World Series. It includes a total of 25 races in the 2024 calendar, including two races in Germany: the 3RIDES Gravel Race in Aachen and the Hegau Gravel Festival in Singen. At each of the 25 races, the fastest 25 per cent of the respective age group qualify for a starting right for the Gravel World Championships. Riders also have the opportunity to qualify for the Gravel World Championships via wildcards or the national championships.
Rainbow jersey
All winners of the Gravel World Championships in their respective age group may wear the rainbow jersey at all UCI Gravel events until the next Gravel World Championships. This means that the reigning world champion is highlighted in colour at all races. The reigning gravel world champions and therefore the wearers of the rainbow jerseys in the elite races are Kasia Niewiadoma for women and Matej Mohoric for the men.
Sustainability
The 2024 Gravel World Championships are all about sustainability. A plan has therefore been drawn up to make the World Championships a green event. For example, vegetarian food is to be offered, the use of paper and plastic is to be minimised and bio-fuelled power generators are to be used.
The Rainbow Gravel Ride - the race for hobby riders
Before the elite riders take to the track at 12 noon on Sunday, 6 October, amateur riders will have the opportunity to ride the pro course. They will have the opportunity to complete the 50-kilometre loop around Leuven, which is scheduled at the end of the respective World Championship courses. Afterwards, there will be a chance to cheer on the elite riders at the finish line in Leuven.
The Rainbow Gravel Ride starts on Sunday between 10 and 10.30 am in Leuven. All amateur riders must have left the course by 1 pm at the latest.
UCI Gravel World Championship only in livestream
The paid streaming provider Discovery Plus will provide a live stream for the two elite races. Both the women's race on 5 October and the men's race on 6 October will be broadcast live from 2pm to 4pm. However, the UCI Gravel World Championships will not be broadcast on TV.
