It had been in the air for a few weeks, but on Tuesday it was officially confirmed by the UCI: The gravel world championships in Nice are off the table. However, this leaves many questions surrounding the conclusion of the UCI Gravel World Series. Here's what we know so far.
In Tuesday's press release, the UCI attributed the cancellation to a combination of circumstances. Rumors had been circulating for weeks, fueled by the lack of a confirmed date and the deafening silence from the UCI, event coordinator Golazo, and local organizers in Nice. Speculation revolved not only around scheduling conflicts but also around the increasing reluctance of the Nice organizers, who may have been overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the event.
In just a few years, the UCI gravel world championships have evolved from a niche event for amateurs and enthusiasts to a fully-fledged world championship. Last year in Leuven, this became clearer than ever. With cycling icons like Mathieu van der Poel and Marianne Vos claiming the elite titles, nearly 3,000 riders on the start line, and a passionate crowd of 150,000 spectators along the course, the event established itself as a major force in the cycling world. Add to that the immense media attention, and it is understandable why the organizers in Nice got cold feet.
It’s no surprise that cycling forums and social media are filled with frustration over the cancellation of a world championship. The loss of the event in Nice is truly a shame—the course was selective yet beautiful, and early reactions were overwhelmingly positive.
But the fact remains: a new date and location need to be found, most likely in October.
UCI Gravel Series coordinator Erwin Vervecken:
"The process of finding a new location and setting a final date in October has just begun. We are working on a solution to provide clarity as soon as possible to the thousands of gravel riders who had been aiming to qualify and participate in the world championships in Nice this year.”
Looking at the UCI Gravel World Series calendar, the growing prestige of the world championships, and the scheduling of other major (pro) races, options are limited. In an earlier analysis, we identified October 4-5 as a potential alternative date. However, with the recent developments in Nice and the uncertainty surrounding the road world championships in Rwanda, even that is far from certain.
The cancellation of the event in Nice is a major setback for the immensely popular UCI Gravel Series. The massive rise of the sport in 2025 is evident from the increasing number of participants in UCI qualification races. Not only was the recent event in Castellón (Spain) fully booked, but there is also a lot of interest for upcoming qualification races in Turnhout (Belgium, March 23) and Vianden (Luxembourg). Well-known events such as Marly Grav in Valkenburg and 3RIDES in Aachen continue to grow. In Turnhout, registration has already closed after reaching the limit of 2,400 riders.
But the abrupt cancellation of the world championships in Nice is a warning sign: the tremendous success of the UCI Gravel Series—and its flagship event—could also become its greatest challenge for the future.
Riders' expectations regarding course quality, safety, and event professionalism sometimes clash with the logistical reality of organizing such large-scale gravel races. At the same time, the environmental impacts and the complexity of obtaining permits increasingly resemble the challenges faced by gran fondos and road races. Add to that the delicate balance of protecting vulnerable natural areas, and it is clear that organizing a leading gravel event is becoming a challenging balancing act.
Two unique designs: the iconic blue of the Squadra Azzurra and a British Racing Green. Pre-order now before March 23!
Let's hope the UCI quickly finds a solution for this year's gravel world championships. We're still aiming for the weekend of October 4-5—but where? That should become clear soon. And of course, you'll read all about it here on CycloWorld.
In the meantime, if you'd like to secure your spot, take a look at our overview of the UCI Gravel Series qualification races.
Discount on event tickets up to 50% and much more.
