UEC INTRODUCES QUALIFICATION MODE FOR EUROPEAN GRAVEL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Via Winterberg to Europe: 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg will be an official qualifier for the European Gravel Championships in Houffalize, Belgium, next year.
The Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) has announced a qualification system for the UEC European Gravel Championships from 2026 for the first time. The central component is the link with the UCI Gravel World Series: all European qualifying races in the twelve months before the event will also be qualifiers for the European Championships in future.
The 3rd stage at 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg is therefore not only a qualifier for the Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Australia, in 2026, but also a qualifying race for the European Gravel Championships on 30 August 2026 in Houffalize, Belgium.
17-19 JULY 2026 IN WINTERBERG
The qualification criteria for the UEC European Gravel Championships at a glance
- Automatic qualification via the UCI Gravel World Series:
All European qualifying events of the UCI Gravel World Series that take place within 12 months before the European Gravel Championships automatically count as qualifying events for the European Championships each year. The top 25% of each category qualify.
- Eligibility for European titles:
Only riders who have successfully qualified and have an annual license with a valid UCI license are eligible to participate in the European Championships.
- Participation for recreational riders:
Amateurs can still take part in the event with a day license, as is usual for all UCI Gravel World Series events. However, they are not entitled to participate in the European Championships. A medical certificate is required for riders participating with a day license.
- Wildcards for the host country:
The national association of the host country receives a certain number of wildcards. These drivers can participate without prior qualification. The exact number of wildcards will be announced at a later date.
- Qualification for the UCI Gravel World Championships:
The UEC European Gravel Championships remain a qualifying tournament for the UCI Gravel World Championships.
- Mandatory national team clothing:
All participants competing for the European Championship titles are expected to compete in a jersey of their nationality in order to enhance the image of the European Championships.
OUR NEW 3RIDES DESTINATION
The hosts of the UEC European Gravel Championships in the coming years
- 2026: Houffalize, Belgium - 30 August 2026
- 2027: Lahti, Finland
- 2028: Silkeborg, Denmark