Wörthersee Gravel Race

The official press conference for the Wörthersee Gravel Race took place today in Velden am Wörthersee. The Wörthersee Gravel Race, which will make its debut on April 7, 2024 as part of the TREK UCI Gravel World Series and is therefore a qualifying race for the UCI Gravel World Championship, is already exceeding all expectations in the initial phase. In addition to professionals, amateurs can also take part in the event. In the first four weeks, almost 700 participants from 30 nations have already registered. The limit has been raised to 1,000 participants. The decision to increase the participant limit not only underlines the popularity of the event, but also pleases the tourism businesses in the Wörthersee-Rosental region.

“With the Wörthersee Gravel Race, Carinthia is the first federal state to focus on gravel biking in top-level and popular sport. The return of a major UCI event after the 1987 World Championships and the international attention are milestones for Carinthia as a sporting region. The race contributes to the sporting inspiration of the Carinthians and on Saturday you can also take part in the event on an e-bike,” says Governor Dr. Peter Kaiser about the event in the sporting region of Carinthia. The Wörthersee Gravel Race will not only be a highlight for professional cyclists, but also a unique experience for amateurs and spectators. In addition to the qualifying race, there will also be additional competitions that are ideal for amateur cyclists.

Sebastian Schuschnig, Provincial Councillor for Tourism, is also delighted: “The Wörthersee Gravel Race not only brings sporting challenges, but also a welcome boost to the pre-season. The combination of cycling and the beauty of our region will certainly attract new visitors and strengthen our tourism in the long term. This event helps to promote the tourism and economic value chain and positions Carinthia as an attractive destination for cycling enthusiasts.”

Roland Sint, Managing Director of the Wörthersee-Rosental region, who landed the project, is also delighted with the development of the Wörthersee Gravel Race: “The response to the Wörthersee Gravel Race has exceeded all expectations and we are thrilled to be able to increase the participant limit to 1,000. This is not only a big step for the race itself, but also a fantastic opportunity to further develop the gravel biking product in the Wörthersee-Rosental region.”

“The latest results of the T-Mona guest survey attest to Carinthia’s increasing popularity as a cycling holiday destination. Compared to the previous seasons, the proportion of cycling/MTB vacations has risen from 14% in 2019 to 20% in summer 2023. In this context and in combination with the variety of cycling routes in the region, the UCI Gravel will be a highlight in the 2024 event calendar,” says Klaus Ehrenbrandtner, Managing Director of Kärnten Werbung.

The Wörthersee Gravel Race is set to become a highlight in the international gravel bike calendar with its top international starter field. Julius Rupitsch, Race Director of the Wörthersee Gravel Race, proudly explains: “A good two months before the event, we have one of the strongest fields of participants ever seen in the TREK UCI Gravel World Series. Johnny Hoogerland has done a great job as course designer and figurehead.”

The Wörthersee-Rosental region is looking forward to pushing the boundaries of gravel biking and sharing the fascination of this unique race with a wider participant base.