The Gralloch UCI Gravel World Series race takes Scotland by Storm this weekend

15 May 2024

In only its second year running, the event doubles its entries and expands its event programme from a 1 day event to a 4 day programme - attracting the créme de la créme of the British and International gravel scene.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dumfries and Galloway May 15th 2024 - The Gralloch, the UK’s biggest gravel race, and only UCI qualifier, returns to Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland this weekend, with an array of big names riding in two Elite races for men and women. The Gralloch has seen huge growth this year, doubling the number of entries in only its second edition.

The racing action takes place on Saturday, May 18th, with a programme of events beginning in an expanded event village in the host town of Gatehouse of Fleet this Thursday.

The number of Elite racers has increased hugely, with a 61% increase in female riders over last year’s inaugural edition - up from 170 to 273.
The 2,000-rider field event has attracted riders from 35 countries, with a new, non-UCI junior race widening the spread of ages from 16 to 80 years old.
Starting and finishing in the Dumfries and Galloway town of Gatehouse of Fleet, riders will tackle a 111km route, which is almost 85% off-road, through the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.
Other than the Elites, riders compete in age group categories, with the fastest 25% in each group qualifying for the UCI Gravel World Championships.
The event has been expanded from a single day to four, with pro rider panels, shakeout rides, live music and an expanded event village, including food and drink.
Stacked men’s and women’s elite races promise to deliver spectator entertainment and highly contested podium spots.

Riders to watch

Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon//SRAM) returns to defend the crown she won so emphatically last year, taking race number one at the head of a 48-rider-strong Elite Women’s Race. The Australian is not the only WorldTour road professional taking to the gravel trails of the Galloway Forest Park in South-West Scotland, with one of the world’s best climbers, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal) also competing among the Scottish hills after winning Santa Vall gravel earlier in the season.

Of the full-time gravel racers, Geerike Schreurs will lead the way after a stellar opening to her season representing the all-conquering SDWorx-Protime-Specialized. Tessa Neefjes (Liv Racing) heads to Scotland hoping to continue her excellent record in TREK UCI Gravel World Series races, including a recent victory in her home race, Gravel Fondo Limburg.

Former British time trial champion Hayley Simmonds (Movistar) returns to The Gralloch hoping for better luck after a double puncture scuppered her 2023 ambitions. While she will be joined by three British gravel champions, Ruth Astle, Danni Shrosbree (Felt United), and Xan Crees (Team Spectra).

Current British cyclocross champion, Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds) will also take the start, with her Scottish team mate Cameron Mason leading the charge for home honours among a strong men’s field.

With 2023 winner, Connor Swift (INEOS Grenadiers) absent, the 2024 race will crown a new male champion. Former WorldTour rider, Petr Vakoč (Isadore-Canyon) has barely finished outside the top 10 so far this season, but will need to fight off challenges from fellow gravel professionals Nathan Haas (Castelli-Colnago), Nicolas Roche (Bianchi-Assos) and Australian, Freddy Ovett (Specialized-Zwift-Maap), who was born close by.

Double Giro d’Italia stage winner and former multiple British time trial champion Alex Dowsett (NoPinz) will also be on the start line alongside double Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee, who won the 2021 British Gravel Championship.

Fresh from victory at the Lincoln GP, another ex-World Tour rider, Matt Holmes is hoping to improve on his 11th place at The Gralloch 2023.

Huge growth - in particular in women’s categories

Launched in 2023 as the United Kingdom’s first and only TREK UCI Gravel World Series race, The Gralloch has seen huge growth in this year, doubling the number of entries in only its second edition. The UCI’s introduction of the Elite category, to go with the age group races, has allowed the race particular growth. While 78 men will start the Elite men’s race, 48 sign-ups in the women’s race is particularly welcomed by organisers.

“Whether they be in the Elite category or across the age groups, having more female athletes in all our events is incredibly important to us,” said Maximilian Wussler, co-founder of organising company Red On Sports. “It’s fantastic to have such big names across both categories coming to our race to compete, and we’re convinced such a high-quality field will create incredibly exciting racing across all the races."

“It’s fantastic to host such a huge number of elite and age group athletes, and we’re certain they will have a great time racing on what we believe are some of the best gravel trails anywhere."

“We’d like to thank all our partners and the people of the host town, Gatehouse of Fleet for their help and patience in organising and hosting The Gralloch.”

##ENDS##

Press Info
Bruce Dalton
4Seasoncollective
Email: bruce@4seasoncollective.com
Tel: +44 7468 138916

Olivia Jackson
4Seasoncollective
Email: olivia@4seasoncollective.com
Tel: +44 7449 326884

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

First held in 2023, The Gralloch was the first TREK UCI Gravel World Series race in the UK.

Held on the trails of the Galloway Forest Park in South-West Scotland, in its first year, the event attracted 900 riders worldwide, with professionals and amateurs simultaneously riding the same route. As part of the World Series, The Gralloch is a qualifying event for the UCI World Championships.

The event is organised by Red On Sports who run a number of other events in the UK, including Raiders Gravel and King’s Cup, which hosts the British Gravel Championships. More information can be found at www.grallochgravel.com.