Steep climbs and technical sections characterised the first UCI Gravel World Series race in Japan. What you can learn from the results for your own training.
Gravel biking has long been more than just leisurely rolling along forest paths. The first race of the UCI Gravel World Series in Japan recently showed that this sport can be extremely demanding. At the HYSK Gravel Classic Yakurai, participants had to tackle an impressive 2,616 metres of elevation gain over a distance of 106 kilometres. Such figures make it clear that the demands on equipment and fitness in gravel riding are increasing massively.
According to a report by Cyclingnews, the demanding route in northern Japan led through steep climbs and very technical gravel sectors. This combination demanded everything from the riders. In the men's race, the Japanese rider Toki Sawada secured the victory with a time of 4:12:58 hours. In the women's race, Shu Wei Hsu from Taiwan triumphed with a time of 5:36:57 hours and a clear lead over the competition.
The results and the long riding times over a distance of just over 100 kilometres make it clear how much the surface and the elevation profile influence the pace. Anyone riding off paved roads needs not only endurance but also excellent riding technique to maintain balance and traction on loose and steep terrain.
Even if you are not competing in the World Championships in Australia, for which this race served as a qualification, you can take away important insights for your own rides. If you are preparing for hilly or technical gravel routes, you should adapt your training:
Your takeaway: Demanding gravel routes require targeted preparation for steep climbs and loose surfaces.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.