The team behind The Gralloch - the UK's qualifier event for the UCI Gravel World Championships - have revealed the course for this year's race.

Based in Gatehouse of Fleet in southwest Scotland, the second edition of The Gralloch will take place on Saturday 18 May 2024.

The event is part of the Trek UCI Gravel World Series, which sees gravel enthusiasts around the world compete to qualify for the World Championships at the season's end.

With plenty at stake, it's a tough course - but a scenic one too, taking in the forests and wild landscapes of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.

This year's edition will be raced over 111km with 1761m of elevation gain. There are five main climbs with the first, Fuffock Hill, coming almost straight out of the starting gates at Garries Park.

The course is mostly on gravel (what else would you expect) but there's a tarmac run-in to the finish allowing racers to wind up for the sprint. If you've entered and don't live close enough for a recce, you'll want to check out the organisers' detailed guide to the route and its various sections here.

While there is a competitive element, you don't need a race licence to enter and our guess is a large proportion of entrants will treat it as an epic gravel sportive rather than a race.

There are three feed stations on the course, along with mechanics and the route is fully signed and marked. A broom wagon is on hand to sweep up any mechanicals or injuries, with food, entertainment and age group podium ceremonies back at the race village afterwards.

Entries are still available priced £85 - but with just five weeks until event day, there's no time to lose!

Find out more and enter at www.grallochgravel.com.

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