Part of the Trek UCI Gravel World Series!
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It wasn’t meant to be easy…
We didn’t design the SEVEN Gravel Race to be easy. From the beginning, our plan was to create an event of epic proportions that could be compared to an early stage of the Tour de France or a current monument of cycling like the Paris-Roubaix. It was an ambitious goal, and not one to be judged by those who haven’t actually ridden the course. For many, just completing the course in the allotted ten hours will be an achievement. For others, qualifying for the Gravel World Championship and the chance to race against the world’s best riders will be their measure. We would be wrong to say there is no fail, as a number of riders do miss the cut-off each year. There will always be next year.
UCI Gravel World Series
In 2022 SEVEN Gravel Race joins fifteen other events around the world as a part of the UCI’s newly formed Gravel World Series. For us, it is about “making your bike bike world bigger”. We hope that many of our SEVEN riders will consider entering other events in the series. Perhaps one day we will even have our own SEVEN team roaming the globe and churning up the gravel miles against the world’s best.
Location
The SEVEN Gravel Race course starts and finishes in the picturesque township of Nannup, approximately 40 minutes drive from the major regional centres of Busselton, Bridgetown and Margaret River. The Nannup Recreation Precinct is the location of our Event Village. The route winds its way around the golden triangle of cycling in WA that is formed by connecting the townships of Nannup, Bridgetown and Donnybrook. This area is estimated to be around 30,000 acres and has in excess of 1000km of rideable roads and trails. Read more about the trees and trails of the beautiful Blackwood Valley.
The Climbs
Thanks to the unique topography of the valley and peaks between Nannup and Balingup, the ten major climbs of SEVEN are amongst the best that the State has to offer. These climbs range in length from 1.2km to 4.5km long with gradients frequently touching on 20%. Our advice is to not use too much energy too early. The Category 3 climbs of Brockman, Arcadia, Ellis Creek, Pinaster & Pallustris, Spur and Hideaway are particularly challenging for tired legs. See where the climbs are located along the course.
The Road Surfaces
The route has only 2kms of wide single track towards the end and virtually no fire trails. All the roads used in SEVEN are unpaved and well-formed with a mix of dirt, gravel, hard-packed clay, quartz grit and mica. They wind, climb, switchback and descend through pine plantations, state forest and farms. The best way we can describe the roads of SEVEN is “parallel single track”. They are exciting, challenging and magnificent to ride.
Awards
UCI Awards for SEVEN (125km)
Those riders in the full SEVEN course who finish first, second and third in their age/gender category are expected to attend the podium ceremony to receive their awards. The second and third riders will receive the UWGS Medal first, then the winner receives the UGWS age group winner jersey followed by his/her medal.
Every rider who finishes in the top 25% of their age category will receive the UGWS medal at the awards desk in the event village.
The UCI age categories for male and female are 19-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75-79 years.
Souvenir buckles for SEVEN finishers
All riders who complete the SEVEN course in 10 hours will receive a SEVEN souvenir buckle. Those riders completing their third full SEVEN course will receive the blue buckle. Those completing their fifth full SEVEN course will receive the green buckle. All other finishers will receive the silver buckle. Buckles will be distributed at the awards desk.
The awards for Clydesdale riders (100+kg) are to be advised in the near future.
Awards for FIVE (85km)
Riders in FIVE who finish in the top three in the following age categories will be eligible for silver buckles:
Overall Male and Female
40-49 Years Male and Female
50-59 Years Male and Female
60+ Years Male and Female
Please note: there are no souvenir buckles awarded for the completion of the FIVE course. This course, and the 50km THREE course, were designed as preparation for taking on the full SEVEN course.
THREE (50km)
Please note: the 50 km THREE course is participation only. No awards or buckles will be given for the completion of this course.
Acknowledgement: This race will take place on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people. CX Down Under acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we ride, and their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.