Pedal Performance Group applied for UCI Gravel World Championship 2025 license
Villach, Carinthia – A sensational development is on the way! In just three weeks, an unprecedented alliance between politics, tourism and the Austrian Cycling Federation has been formed: Villach is applying to be the replacement venue for the UCI Gravel World Championships 2025, which were originally awarded to Nice and officially cancelled at the end of February.
UCI decision expected soon
The decision about the new host city now lies with the UCI, the international cycling federation. ‘A big thank you goes to everyone involved from the cycling federation, politics and tourism. The ball is now in the UCI’s court and we expect to hear back from them in the next few days,’ says designated organiser Julius Rupitsch.
The gravel road to Villach
Since the beginning of February, intensive negotiations and coordination have been underway to bring Villach into play as a venue. The deadline is in October and the exact date is still part of the negotiations. Hosting the World Championships would put Villach on the international cycling map. In addition, there will be a worldwide live broadcast of the races, thus putting Carinthia on the map as a cycling destination.
For Carinthia as a tourist destination and the Villach region, this is a huge opportunity to become the venue for the UCI Gravel World Championships 2025. Thanks to the successful pre-season offensive of the state and the resulting implementation of the first ‘Wörthersee Gravel Race’ in Velden last year, we have laid the foundation for a successful application. I am convinced that Carinthia meets all the requirements as a venue for the UCI Gravel World Championships 2025. The tourist region and the location would benefit significantly from the added value, the numerous overnight stays and the international attention,’ says Sebastian Schuschnig, Regional Minister for Tourism.
Gravel World Series Race – Registration is still open
The Wörthersee Gravel Race, which will also be held in April 2025 after its huge success last year, serves as an important qualifier for the UCI Gravel World Championship. Currently there are 200 entries remaining.
The UCI Gravel World Championship – an overview
Gravel – the perfect mix of road and off-road
Gravel biking is a cycling discipline that sits between road biking and mountain biking. The routes take riders along dirt roads, field tracks and gravel paths, making the races particularly diverse and challenging.World Championship as a boost for the region in autumn
Villach as a venue would not only benefit the cycling community, but also the entire region. Carinthia would once again be able to establish itself as an international host of major sporting events. According to an initial study, the added value is expected to be over 8 million euros and around 50,000 overnight stays.
