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It's naive to think that trade team loyalties will disappear at the Gravel World Championships, I expect some of the season's strangest tactics yet

The UCI Gravel World Championships are breaking new ground—both literally and figuratively—by moving to Nannup, a remote town in Western Australia, for the first time in the event’s history. Unlike previous editions, which resembled end-of-season road Classics, this year’s race promises a far more demanding test, with over 80% of the course composed of gravel and a profile steep enough to rival Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

The men’s race spans 144 kilometers with 3,713 meters of climbing, while the women’s event covers 125.6 kilometers and 3,179 meters of elevation, favoring riders with strong bike-handling skills and endurance. However, the thin field—just 54 women provisionally entered—raises intriguing questions about team dynamics.

With riders qualifying individually through the Gravel World Series and national federations offering limited support, the race could see unusual tactics as athletes balance personal ambitions against national interests, especially given the lack of clear caps on rider numbers. Race director Stephen Gallagher has framed the event as a true gravel challenge, one that could finally crown the sport’s first ‘proper’ world champions.

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