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Is Nannup delivering the first 'real' UCI Gravel World Championships?

The UCI Gravel World Championships is set to make a historic shift this October, moving beyond its European roots to Nannup, Western Australia—a location that promises to redefine the event with its vast, untouched gravel roads. Unlike previous editions dominated by road professionals, the remote Australian terrain could finally deliver a course that aligns with the discipline’s traditional roots, raising hopes that a dedicated gravel specialist might claim the rainbow jersey for the first time since the competition began in 2022.

Sofia Gómez Villafañe, a standout in unsanctioned gravel racing, has made the event a priority this year, while Specialized Off-Road teammates Matt Beers and Keegan Swenson are returning after previous absences. The field also includes Mads Würtz Schmidt, the standout men’s gravel rider of 2024, who has expressed excitement about the potential for a more authentic gravel race.

Alongside these specialists, top-tier road riders like Marianne Vos, Florian Vermeersch, Tiffany Cromwell, and Connor Swift will add depth to the competition, blending road and gravel expertise in what could be a defining moment for the sport.

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