TECHNICAL GUIDE

The Technical Guide will be available closer to the event. Provisional information is provided below to assist with planning and preparation. Once the Technical Guide is officially approved, it will be published here as a PDF and replace the information below.

1. PROGRAM

Wednesday October 7

• 7:00am Daily Coastal Cruise Ride & Coffee: Busselton Foreshore and Shelter Brewing Co.
• 8:00am Adina Flyover – Shakeout & People’s Ride (register):Adina Farms GWC Course Checkpoint 2, Nannup. Special access to 70km of GWC course 
• 9:00am-5:00pm Unofficial Training: Designated training courses only
• 10:00am-5:00pm UCI Officials Meetings: Saltwater Convention Centre, Busselton

Thursday October 8

• 7:00am Daily Coastal Cruise Ride & Coffee: Busselton Foreshore and Shelter Brewing Co.
• 9:00am-5:00pm Rider Registrations, Info Desk, Merchandise, Bike Gallery, Expo, Accreditations: Saltwater Convention Centre, Busselton 
• 4:00pm Official Welcome and Opening Ceremony: Saltwater Convention Centre, Busselton
• 4:30pm-5:30pm Team Managers’ Meeting (live and streamed): Saltwater Convention Centre, Busselton 

Friday October 9

• 7:00am Daily Coastal Cruise Ride & Coffee: Busselton Foreshore and Shelter Brewing Co.
• 8:00am Folly Flyover – Shakeout & People’s Ride (register): GWC Race Village, Grange Road, Nannup. Special access to 25km final loop of GWC course
• 9:00am-5:00pm Unofficial Training: Designated training courses only
• 9:00am-5:00pm Trade Expo & Food Court Open: GWC Race Village, Grange Road, Nannup
• 3:00pm-5:00pm Rider Registration: GWC Race Village, Grange Road, Nannup

SATURDAY OCTOBER 10 

Race Village, Grange Rd, Nannup

• 8:00am-4:00pm Rider Registration 
• 8:00am-5:00pm Race Village, Trade Expo, Food Court & Family Zone open 
• 9:40am Call up Elite Women starting at 10:00am
• 10:00am Elite Women start (125km)
• 10:05am Call up riders starting 10:20am to 10:55am
• 10:20am Men 50-54 start (125km)
• 10:25am Men 55-59 start (125km)
• 10:30am Men 60-64 start (125km)
• 10:35am Women 19-34 start (125km)
• 10:40am Women 35-39 start (125km)
• 10:45am Women 40-44 & 45-49 start (125km)
• 10:50am Men 65+ start (90km)
• 10:55am Women 50+ start (90km)
• 11:00am First Elite Women at CP2 Adina Feed/Tech/Fan Zone
• 1:16pm First Elite Women at CP7 Dunnet & Folly Feed/Tech/Fan Zone
• 2:00pm Finish Women Elite
• 2:20pm Elite Women Podium Ceremony
• 2:38pm First finishers Men 50-54
• 2:45pm on Age Category Podium Ceremonies
  Immediately after arrival of top 3 riders in each

SUNDAY OCTOBER 11 

Race Village, Grange Rd, Nannup

• 8:00am-9:00am Late Rider Registration
• 8:00am-5:00pm Race Village, Trade Expo, Food Court & Family Zone open 
• 9:40am Call up Elite Men starting at 10:00am
• 10:00am Elite Men start (144km)
• 10:05am Call up riders starting 10:20am to 10:35am
• 10:20am Men 19-34 start (144km)
• 10:25am Men 35-39 start (144km)
• 10:30am Men 40-44 start (144km)
• 10:35am Men 45-49 start (144km)
• 11:00am First Elite Men at CP2 Adina Feed/Tech/Fan Zone
• 1:18pm First Elite Men at CP7 Dunnet & Folly Feed/Tech/Fan Zone
• 2:00pm Finish Men Elite
• 2:20pm Elite Men Podium Ceremony
• 2:38pm First finishers Men 19-34
• 2:45pm on Age Category Podium Ceremonies
• Immediately after arrival of top 3 riders in each

2. OFFICIALS

President of the Commissaires Panel (PCP) 

Louise Jones OLY (AUS)

AusCycling Commissaires Panel members

• Louise Jones (PCP – QLD)
• Ash McAuliffe (VIC)
• Susan Mitchell (SA)
• Anthony Torr (QLD)
• Rachel Goud (SA)
• Kimberley Conte (SA)
• Carolyn Jones (QLD)
• Bradley Higgins (VIC)
• Jeff Hughes (ACT)
• Sam Bolton (WA)

UCI Technical Commissaires

• Zachary Prendergast
• Jeremy Christmas 

UCI Technical Delegate 

• Erwin Vervecken (BEL)

UCI Staff 

• Manon Convers (FRA)
• Christelle Reille (FRA)

Speakers

• Matthew Poyner
• Erik Mellegers
• Jethro Gammie-Nagle

3. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

The provisions listed in that Technical Guide have the force of law for the UCI Gravel World Championships. They are extracts of:

• UCI Gravel Regulations PART XV: CYCLING FOR ALL, version on 01.01.2022, Chapter III GRAVEL.
• UCI Gravel World Championships Organisation Guide.
• Regarding penalties, the UCI article 2.12.007 ”table of race incidents” in Part 2 Road of the UCI rules applies.

3.1 CATEGORIES

• Races will be split with an Elite category (Men and Women) followed by age categories.
• The age categories for both Men and Women mainly focus on riders with an amateur, master or annual cycling-for-all license, although Elite riders at a national level (when not member of any UCI registered Team) can take part in their respective age category.
• Age categories are defined by riders’ age on December 31st of the year of the World Championships.

3.2 AGE CATEGORY YEAR OF BIRTH

• Women and Men 19 – 34 years 1992 to 2007
• Women and Men 35 – 39 years 1987 to 1991
• Women and Men 40 – 44 years 1982 to 1986
• Women and Men 45 – 49 years 1977 to 1981
• Women and Men 50 – 54 years 1972 to 1976
• Women and Men 55 – 59 years 1967 to 1971
• Women and Men 60 – 64 years 1962 to 1966
• Women and Men 65 – 69 years 1957 to 1961
• Women and Men 70 – 74 years 1952 to 1956
• Women and Men 75 – 79 years 1947 to 1951
• Women and Men 80 + years 1946 and before

At the UCI Gravel World Championships, medals and titles will be awarded for men and women as soon as 1 rider is registered in his/her respective 5-years age category.

3.3 QUALIFICATION

• The QUALIFICATION SYSTEM FOR THE 2025 UCI GRAVEL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS has been approved by the UCI Management Committee.
• Riders who have gained qualification through the UCI Gravel World Series will receive an official email from the UCI inviting them to register for the UCI Gravel World Championships via the dedicated online registration portal.

3.4 REQUIRED LICENSES

Riders taking part in the UCI Gravel World Championships must hold a valid license issued by their respective National Federation (daily licenses excluded), must have one UCI ID, and must be adequately insured against accidents and civil responsibility in the country in which the UCI Gravel World Championships are held as per article 15.6.013.

Riders must have one of the following licenses:

• Elite license
• Masters license
• Amateur license
• Cycling for all license

3.5 MEDICAL INSURANCE

Each rider is responsible for ensuring that they possess adequate medical insurance. This can be ensured either through an individual race license (from a National Federation affiliated to the UCI) covering races abroad or through a private insurance policy.

3.6 THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE

The organiser will ensure that all cyclists who take part in the event possess appropriate third-party liability insurance.

3.7 COURSE CHARACTERISTICS

• Gravel races shall take place on any type of unsurfaced roads and can include gravel, forest roads, farm roads and tracks, and cobbles. 
• Tarmac surfaced roads should not total more than 40% (forty percent) of the race distance. Cobbles sections are not considered as tarmac sections.
• The course should avoid grass and meadows and should always take place on existing paths and roads. Running sections should be avoided as much as possible and can only occur due to weather conditions. The full course should be rideable in normal weather conditions.
• The majority of the course should have a width of 3 meters. Single-track sections should be kept to a minimum and only be included in the course where required to link other sections and only where an alternative route for essential event vehicles (for example medical services) is available.
• The following obstacles or sections used in Mountain bike or Cyclocross are not allowed in gravel events: planks (obstacles), stairs, drops, jumps, rock gardens, technical single track sections, artificial sand sections, very steep climbs where dismounting is necessary.
• Course distances should be a minimum of 50 km and a maximum of 200 km, considering course difficulty and elevation gain. Race organisers can propose a shorter distance for older age categories. There shall only be one official distance per category per event.

3.8 SIGNPOSTING

• All signage on the UCI World Championships course must be placed at least the Monday before the event to allow riders to train on the course.
• It is the organiser’s responsibility to ensure the necessary authorizations are obtained to place these signs.
• A check of all signage must be undertaken the morning of the race in order to replace signs which may have been removed.
• The course must be signposted to a very high standard. The direction arrows should not leave any doubt about the direction to follow.
• All signposting bears the logo of the UCI Gravel World Championships. Signs are written in the language of the host country and English.
• In addition to standard signs warning participants about dangers along the course or indicating the direction to follow, specific panels must also be installed on both sides of the road as follows:
• panels must be placed to indicate the last: 10km, 5km, 1km, and 500m before the finish line.
• the presence of the next feed zone must be indicated 100m ahead of each zone
• all the technical characteristics of the climbs must be indicated at the bottom of all climbs.

3.9 GPS DATA

• The organiser should provide to all participants the GPX file of the course so it can be downloaded to a GPS device as backup to follow the courses.

3.10 FEED ZONES, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTER ACCESS

• Riders, soigneurs and team support personnel are strongly encouraged to use the designated Feed/Tech Zones identified in the Technical Guide and on the event website. These zones have been strategically selected to provide the safest and most practical locations for feeding and technical support.
• Access to many other parts of the course is limited, and some sections pass through private property or areas subject to event access restrictions. Support personnel must follow the published access instructions, parking arrangements and permitted travel times shown on the event website and in the Technical Guide.

3.11 SAFETY

• As well as signage; where necessary, the local organiser should provide marshals with a yellow flag and a whistle to be positioned at appropriate distance before hazards to prevent incidents.
• All dangerous points must be protected (traffic islands, central reservations, bends, etc.) by straw bales (wrapped in plastic), mattresses or other appropriate safety padding.
• Radio or mobile telephone support is essential during the event.
• The organisation will therefore put in place a system which permits rapid and efficient communication between the people involved in the organisation.
• For the well-being of the cyclists (who are increasingly prone to carry a mobile phone during the race), their families and also the marshals spread out over the race, an emergency number will be available (and made public) throughout the event.

3.12 RIDER COOPERATION

• Different categories start with different intervals and quickly merge during the race. It is possible to cooperate, work together and race together during the race. But riders specifically waiting for a group riding behind to help another rider will be removed from the race; especially men waiting on Saturday for a woman in a later start group to help push or pull will be disqualified.

3.13 RESULT QUERIES AND DISPUTES

Any query or dispute concerning race results must be submitted at the finish to the finish-line judge or to Louise Jones, President of the Commissaires’ Panel.

3.14 START PROCEDURE

Riders are placed in start boxes at the starting line along Grange Road, in accordance with their start order and per start group. The entrance to each box must be placed at the back of each box, with riders entering from the side. The start boxes must be large enough to accommodate high numbers of participants. See pages 2 and 3 for start times.

Elite start order:

• The Elite start order will be organised based on the points system. The system is a cumulation of the following points:
• points won during the UCI Gravel World Series events in the elite male/female result per race: top 25: 200-180-160-150-140-130-120-110-100-90-80-70-65-60-55-50-45-40-35-30-25-20-15-10-5 points
• points won during the UCI Gravel World Championships of the previous year in the elite category: top 25: 1000-750-600-500-450-400-350-300-275-250-225-200-180-160-140-120-100-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10 points
• 50% of the points in the UCI individual elite rankings for Road, Mountain-bike Cross Country (XCO), Mountain-bike Marathon (XCM) and Cyclocross.

Age groups start order:

• Each box with minimum 100 riders will be split up with a priority box (top 3 qualified riders + defending world champion) and a second box with the other riders. These boxes will be merged when moving up to the start line.
• The priority box won’t be applied in the smaller age groups with less than 100 participants. Age groups who are combined won’t have a priority box, even if the combined box is bigger than 100 participants.
• Access of the start boxes is at the back of the box and will be filled up from the front to the back.
• The start boxes must be separated by tape or fences which may be removed a few minutes before the respective starts. After removal of the tape/fence, the next start group can move to the front to be aligned at the start line.

For all, Elite and age groups:

• The start time for all riders in a same start group is the gun-time of that specific group, and not he moment each rider crosses the start carpet.
• The signs to indicate the start boxes for each category must be installed the day prior to the race to allow riders to understand where they need to be placed the following morning.

3.15 TIMING

• The event is timed for all the participants, for the entire length of the course.
• The timekeeping company must produce an overall ranking per category and gender with a separate elite title for the elite categories.
• The start time is synchronized with the gun shot and not when each individual rider crosses the start transponder loop (GUN time principle).

Publication of results

• Organisers must use the official UCI names of the categories in their communication and official results: ME (or men elite), M19-34, M35-39, M40-44, M45-49, M50-54, M55-59, M60-64, M65-69, M70-74…, and for women WE (or women elite), F19-34, F35-39, …, F60-64, F65-69…

3.16 CONDUCT & COURSE COMPLIANCE

• Riders must follow all instructions issued by event organisers, commissaires, event crew, volunteers, marshals and other authorised members of the event workforce.
• Riders who deliberately leave or shortcut the marked course may be disqualified.
• Pushing, pulling or otherwise physically assisting another rider’s forward progress is strictly prohibited.
• Riders must ride in a manner that maximises the safety of themselves, other participants, event personnel and members of the public.
• Riders must obey all course signage, marshal instructions and traffic-management controls.
• Riders observed deliberately throwing or leaving litter outside designated disposal areas will be reported to the Commissaires and may be subject to disqualification or another applicable penalty.

3.17 RETIRING FROM THE RACE

• Any rider retiring from the race must notify an event official as soon as possible.
• Notification may be made to a commissaire, marshal, checkpoint crew, event support vehicle, SAG vehicle or another authorised member of the event workforce.
• Riders must not leave the event without confirming their retirement, as the event may otherwise initiate a search for them.

4. REGISTRATION

The registration deadline is 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026 (12.00 AWST)

There are seven different ways riders can qualify for participation in the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships.

• All riders qualified in their respective category in the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series (www.ucigravelworldseries.com) by finishing in the top 25% of their age group. Riders who qualified as Elite can only participate as Elite in the UCI Gravel World Championships. The same rule applies for riders in their respective age groups. National level Elite riders (club) could however also qualify twice (as Elite and in their age group) which gives them the option to choose which category within which they will race.
• The National Federation of the host nation (AusCycling) receives 20 quotas to give to their best riders with direction qualification. These wildcards are only valid for Elite riders.
• All other National Federations receive 10 quotas each to give to their best riders with direct qualification for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships. These wildcards are only valid for Elite riders.
• Reigning 2025 UCI Gravel World Champions are qualified directly even if their category changed between 2025 and 2026.
• Reigning Continental Gravel Champions are qualified directly.
• Reigning National Gravel Champions are qualified directly.
• Wild cards can be given at the discretion of the UCI only.

Every rider who is qualified through the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series will get an individual email with a private link to register for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships. Riders participating in the age groups will pay 380 AUD as the registration fee. Elite riders race for free.

For every rider nominated with a wildcard through his/her National Federation, the National Federation must send an Excel list with wildcards and full details to info@ucigravelworldseries.com. Wildcard riders will automatically be placed on the start list.

National and continental champions are invited to register themselves.

5. RACE NUMBERS & TIMING

125km

• Women Elite – white bib number
• Women 19-34 – grey bib number
• Women 35-39 – pink bib number
• Women 40-44 – green bib number
• Women 45-49 – purple bib number
• Men 50-54 – orange bib number
• Men 55-59 – yellow bib number
• Men 60-64 – blue bib number

90 km

• Men 65-69 – red bib number
• Men 70-74 – black bib number
• Men 75+ – brown bib number
• Women 50-54 – orange bib number
• Women 55-59 – yellow bib number
• Women 60-64 – blue bib number
• Women 65-69 – red bib number
• Women 70-74 – black bib number
• Women 75+ – brown bib number

144 km

• Men Elite – white bib number
• Men 19-34 – grey bib number
• Men 35-39 – pink bib number
• Men 40-44 – green bib number
• Men 45-49 – purple bib number

AFFIXING TRANSPONDERS AND RACE NUMBERS

• The electronic timing transponder must be securely attached to the front fork in accordance with the instructions provided at registration.
• The small seatpost plate must be securely attached beneath the saddle and remain clearly visible.
• Elite riders must wear two back bib numbers, positioned on the left and right sides of the jersey pockets.
• Age-group riders must wear one back bib number, positioned centrally on the back of the jersey.
• The front number plate is only required when you want to buy photos from Sportograf after the event. 

6. BRIEFINGS

6.1 RIDERS 

Thursday October 8th at 4.30pm AWST in Saltwater Convention Centre, Busselton.

• For national team coaches.
• For team managers and DS of the UCI registered teams.
• For individual elite riders.
• For individual age group riders.
• Also live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person.

6.2 JURY INTERNAL MEETING 

TBC.

7. COURSE DESCRIPTION

7.1 KEY FEATURES

• All courses start and finish in the same location on Grange Road, Nannup.
• Long course 85% gravel, Medium course 83% gravel, Short course 76% gravel.
• A 9km undulating paved section to start, which competitors will ride again on the return into Nannup.

7.2 THE TERRAIN

The gravel roads are well-formed with a mix of dirt, red gravel, hard-packed clay, quartz, mica and pea gravel. They wind, climb, switchback and descend through pine plantations, forests and farms.

Regular climbs of 1-3.5km at steady gradients, spaced consistently throughout every route. Thirteen of the climbs are categorised between Cat5 and Cat3.

Between the climbs, broad and well-surfaced gravel roads with flatter sections woven throughout, giving riders room to regroup and refuel before the next block of climbing begins.

8. TRANSPORT

The start and finish of each course are in the same location on Grange Road in Nannup. For riders not staying in Nannup, there are three ways to travel to Nannup during the Gravel World Championships.

By car

On a normal weekend, the journey to Nannup from the surrounding major towns is as follows:

• BUSSELTON: 61kms from entry roundabout on Bussell Highway. Via Bussell Highway, Sues Road, and Vasse Highway (follow signage).
• MARGARET RIVER: 67kms from roundabout on Perimeter Rd. Via Rosa Brook Road and Mowen Road.
• BRIDGETOWN: 45kms along Brockman Highway.

Hiring a vehicle as a soigneur?

• If you are a soigneur/rider supporter and you are hiring a vehicle with the intent to provide bottle hand-ups at CP1 or CP3, you must ensure that the vehicle you hire can be taken onto gravel roads. We recommend hiring a 4-Wheel Drive to travel to these locations.

By car and bike

• The Mowen Springs Park and Ride enables participants to drive from Busselton or Margaret River to Mowen Springs Farm, on Mowen Road. Parking at Mowen Springs is free (compared to $25 AUD in Nannup). From the parking area at Mowen Springs, participants can ride 8km into Nannup on the Old Timberline Trail. See Section 12 for the location of Mowen Springs Park & Ride.

RIDERS’ EQUIPMENT & ASSISTANCE

BIKES

• Any type of bike with dropped handlebars is allowed: Gravel bike; Road bike; Cyclocross bike
• Mountain bikes, tandems, E-bikes and recumbent bikes are not allowed.
• Handlebars must be free of extension such as triathlon or time trial handlebars.
• UCI article 1.3.022 fully applies, especially the specification of the 10° maximum inclination of the brake levers (see also the Clarification Guide for the UCI Technical Regulation page 37).
• The bike should be minimum 6.8kg (without bottles, without GPS device).
• There is no minimum nor maximum tyre width.

MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE

• Mechanical assistance is not provided by any neutral service during the race.
• Shimano will have mechanical assistance in the expo area the day before the  race and on race days.
• Riders are advised to bring their own spare tire or tubular for the race. 
• It is allowed to receive mechanical assistance during the race.
• Bike changes during the event are forbidden. Every rider must finish with the frame he/she used at the start.
• Wheel changes are possible throughout the course.

HELMET

• Wearing a helmet is mandatory for all competitions, throughout the whole race. Participants will be informed in advance by the organisation that they will be barred from the start or that their race number will immediately be withdrawn if they are caught riding their bike by a member of the organisation without wearing their helmet.