The GravelSeries of events 3Rides offers a new event in 2026: from 17 to 19 July, "3Rides Gravel Winterberg" celebrates its premiere in the Sauerland. There will no longer be a gravel race in Aachen. The three-day event combines a stage race with a qualifying race for the UCI Gravel World Championships. Participants can complete the three stages either individually or as an overall classification. The programme is supplemented by three gravel tours without timekeeping over distances of 100, 150 and 200 kilometres. According to the organisers, the new format is a response to the needs of the participants, who want more "pure gravel" and an optimised ratio between travel time and distance. Racing fun would wish.
3Rides stage race with UCI World Series Final
The three-day race programme begins on Friday with an opening time trial over 20 kilometres and around 500 metres in altitude. The participants start individually. Depending on the age group, the second stage covers 80 or 120 kilometres with 2000 or 3000 metres of altitude. The final stage, which also serves as a qualifying race for the UCI Gravel World Series, concludes on Sunday. Here, riders can choose between 98 and 147 kilometres with 2400 or 3600 metres of elevation gain. Those who complete all three stages will also be ranked in the overall standings. Registration is possible for individual stages as well as for the entire programme. Early bookers receive a discount of 15 to 20 per cent if they register by the end of November. Registration for three stages currently costs 200 euros.
Winterberg as a new gravel destination
In Winterberg, the organisers of 3Rides have found a partner that is well equipped for gravel events. The winter sports stronghold in the Sauerland wants to position itself as a year-round outdoor destination with the event. "We will show that Winterberg is an attractive holiday destination that particularly appeals to outdoor enthusiasts. And this all year round in addition to our fantastic winter sports offers," explains Winfried Borgmann, Managing Director of Winterberg Touristik und Wirtschaft. According to the organiser, the region around Winterberg offers a dense network of trails that are suitable for gravel adventures. Gravel paths, forest passages, meadow trails and challenging climbs are all in close proximity to each other. "Gravel combines the best of two worlds: sporting challenges and pure nature," says Michaela Grötecke, tourism promoter at Winterberg Touristik und Wirtschaft GmbH. "Our region is perfect for this lifestyle - anyone who rides here feels pure Sauerland."
Development of 3Rides
The new event in Winterberg marks a further step in the development of the 3Rides series, which will be entering its fifth year in 2026. "In the four years of 3Rides, we have not only observed the scene closely, but of course also listened very carefully to the wishes and needs of our participants," explains Björn Müller, CEO of 3Rides. Two themes in particular have emerged: the desire for "pure gravel" with varied and challenging routes with a high proportion of unpaved paths and the combination of several races in one event to optimise the ratio of travel costs to racing fun.
Gravel Peaks stage race
The inventors of the Bike Transalp and TOUR Transalp have recognised the trend towards several days of stage races on a gravel bike in one go. If you fancy a real stage race with changing start locations, you can look forward to Gravel Peaks. The stage race for gravel bikers will make its debut in 2026 and will run over six stages. Registration is already open - the route has not yet been announced. It runs "on moderate terrain" in Austria. The starting place for all six stages is still available until 30 November for 1049 euros. The price includes daily luggage transport, timekeeping, catering and food at the finish. Information and registration: Gravel Peaks
Kristian Bauer
Editor
