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Wörthersee Gravel Race 2025: Austria’s biggest gravel race continues to grow

Velden am Wörthersee, 03.02.2025

After just one year, the Wörthersee Gravel Race has already established itself as the most important gravel bike event in Austria and internationally. With 2,000 participants from over 40 nations, around 10,000 expected overnight stays and an estimated added value of up to 2.4 million euros, the three-day event is an important boost for the Wörthersee-Rosental region.

Gravel biking as a growth engine for the region

‘The first year was a complete success and the response from the community has shown that our strategy is exactly right. The further development into a three-day event is an important step in positioning the region as the number one destination for gravel bikers in Europe,’ explains Peter Peschel, managing director of the Wörthersee-Rosental region. The region’s role as an innovator and targeted product development in the field of gravel biking are to be further expanded in the future.

Klaus Ehrenbrandtner, managing director of Kärnten Werbung, also sees the event as a key project: ‘Carinthia has established itself as a top destination for cycling enthusiasts. The variety of cycling products in our province and the growing trend of gravel biking are making Carinthia internationally visible. Our goal is to build sustainable partnerships and establish cycling as an important economic factor in the long term.’

Race director Julius Rupitsch emphasises the further development of the race: ‘After the successful debut, we have worked specifically on optimising the route, the number of participants and the expo. We are particularly proud that the race is hosting the Austrian championship this year.’ 

This year, there is also a new race route, which has been adapted based on feedback from the authorities and athletes. There are already 1,400 registrations. The aim is for the Wörthersee Gravel Race to become one of the best gravel bike events in the world.

Three-time MTB world champion and gravel pro Alban Lakata emphasises the sporting significance: ‘A UCI race in Austria is a milestone for gravel sports. The organisation was outstanding, and I’m looking forward to competing in 2025 as a 100% gravel pro in Team Bulls.’

Lakata has already checked out the new route and rates it as very positive and varied. ‘Dangerous situations have been defused, mass sprints are no longer an issue here and the route is certainly more selective. The final stretch over the forest path is certainly more demanding to ride.’

Tourism and the economy benefit

With an estimated added value of 2 to 2.4 million euros, the event contributes significantly to the economic revival of the region in the preseason. Landesrat Mag. Sebastian Schuschnig emphasises: ‘The Wörthersee Gravel Race is more than just a sporting event. With around 10,000 overnight stays expected in the early season, the event generates an added value of over 2 million euros. Through projects such as the Velovista Radfrühling 2025, we are also creating a sustainable tourism value chain.’ 

Governor Dr Peter Kaiser emphasised the positive development of the Wörthersee Gravel Grace: ‘Last year, I already sensed the emergence of a future-oriented sport. This really reminds me of the Ironman. The increase in the number of participants alone speaks for the success of the race. What makes it special is that anyone can take part in the race and gravel biking is increasingly developing into a year-round sport.’

Thanks to the close cooperation with local partners and a clear strategic direction, the Wörthersee Gravel Race remains a fixture on the international racing calendar – and a flagship event for cycling in Austria.

Highlights of the race 

In 2025, the Wörthersee Gravel Race will kick off with numerous innovations:

  • Date: 4–6 April 2025
  • Start & finish: Velden am Wörthersee, with a new route this year
  • Maximum number of participants: 2,000
  • Expected nations: 40
  • Expected spectators: approx. 8,000
  • Expected overnight stays: 10,000–12,000
  • Highlight: Official Austrian Gravel Biking Championship
  • Expo: Up to 30 exhibitors from Friday to Sunday
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