A quintet of gravel races to ensure you dream bigger and better this summer.

Gravel is the fastest-growing genre of cycling with must-do events all around the world. 

Campagnolo recognises this love of the off-road with a range of world-class equipment to help make your riding dreams come true, from Campagnolo’s 13-speed Ekar groupset to Campagnolo’s new Levante wheelset. 

That’s why Campagnolo will be at Nova Eroica Buonconvento, Italy, with Cinelli test bikes adorned with its world-class equipment. In addition, to stimulate your competitive synapses further are five bucket-list gravel races. 

If you can’t tick them off this summer, look to in 2023 and beyond.

NOVA EROICA BUONCONVENTO

Buonconvento, Italy

25 June 2022

It’s double delight at Nova Eroica Buonconvento as not only will you ride against the most beautiful backdrop in world cycling, but you’ll see arguably for the first time Campagnolo’s new Levante wheelset. 

On Friday 24 June in the afternoon you can test Cinelli Nemo Gravel bikes equipped with the Ekar groupset and Levante wheels on the white roads.

Campagnolo’s recently launched Levante is our first wheelset designed specifically for the rough and tumble of gravel. It’s durable, lightweight and fast – everything you need from your hoops. 

And you’ll need all three attributes at Nova Eroia Buonconvento, whether you’re racing the long, short or family routes. 

The 130km long route is the ultimate test, taking you from Crete Senesi to the Chianti area. Along the way competitors encounter 1,540m of climbing, plus 71km of white gravel that this area’s famous for. 

The 130km long route is the ultimate test, taking you from Crete Senesi to the Chianti area. Along the way competitors encounter 1,540m of climbing, plus 71km of white gravel that this area’s famous for. 

Beyond the riding, there’s a real festival feel to this event.

Book your test now by writing to: socialride@cinelli.it and specifying your size.

JEROBOAM DOLOMITES

Dolomites, Italy

22-24 July 2022

Jeroboam, as wine connoisseurs will know, is a 300cc wine bottle, which is the equivalent of four normal wine bottles. In cycling circles, that gives you an idea of what lies ahead at the Jeroboam group of races – 300km of glorious and draining gravel. 

There are eight Jeroboams around the globe but we’ll focus on arguably the most memorable – the Jeroboam Dolomites. 

Covering an incredible 8,000m over 300km, the parcours takes you on the paths and forest roads that run along the slopes of the Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa up the foot of the Dolomites. Here, you can see the jaw-dropping view of the Vajolet and Catinaccio Towers. 

You obviously need to be fit to be in with a chance of making it to the finish line but there are shorter, albeit still-demanding options available: the 150km magnum, 75km standard and 37.5km gourmet ride.

GRINDURO WALES

Machynlleth, Galles

22-24 luglio 2022

Enjoy the beauty and brutality of the famous Welsh valleys with memorable views, taxing terrain and an intricate network of off-road trails that’ll tax the handling skills of the best gravel riders. 

The Grinduro format’s unique. You head out for a 75km loop through the Dyfi Forest and beyond where finishing times are based on four timed segments, featuring a mix of short punchy climbs and sweeping turns. 

The three-day event has a party atmosphere!

SBT GRAVEL

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

14 August 2022

Many a professional gravitates to this terrific event in Colorado as one of the USPs of the race is its generous and equal prize money for men and women. But this event is much more than the dollar. 

The main ‘black’ course covers 142 miles, of which 100 miles are gravel, and racks up over 3,000m of climbing. The stunning backdrop of mountain ranges and glistening lakes give you something to distract from the effort, as does watching ranchers manage their livestock, which is a common sight at SBT Gravel. 

The parcours varies from dusty mud to hard-pack gravel, and ideally you’d rack up some mountainous metres beforehand as Steamboat is located around 2,300m above sea level. 

A still-ambitious ‘blue’ course of 105 miles is also on offer, as is the 64-mile ‘red’ course and 37-mile ‘green’ event.

GRAVEL TOUR DU MONT BLANC

Megève, France

3-4  September 2022

This impressive route traverses three countries – France, Italy and Switzerland – and, as the organisers say, “takes riders over the roof of Europe, between glaciers, torrents, valleys and alpine passes”. The event covers 200km and racks up over 8,500m of elevation gain.

Terrain is a mix of singletrack, forest paths and gravelly trails, and participants face eight mountain cols including two that are higher than 2,500m: the Col de la Seigne and the Grand Col Ferret. 

A half event of 130km and 5,000m climbing is available, as is a relay option where rider one covers Megeve to Courmayeur, before handing over to rider two who returns to Courmayeur.