Rad am Ring is one of the biggest cycling events in Germany and has long been more than "just" the 24-hour race, even though the tough and legendary race on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring in the Eifel region characterises the event's reputation and outshines all other racing formats. At the same time, the team led by Hanns-Martin Fraas, head of the organising eventwerkstatt, uses the platform of the car racing circuit in the Eifel to keep trying out new ideas.
Gravel-DM at Rad am Ring
Last year, for example, a gravel race was held on the Ring site for the first time and proved to be a complete success: 550 participants took to the gravel track and gave the premiere high marks in the subsequent survey. The result: there will be a new edition of the Gravel Race in 2026 - and the German Gravel Championship will also be held at the Ring. The cycling association German Cycling (formerly Bund Deutscher Radfahrer) has awarded the German Gravel Championship to Rad am Ring for next year. According to the organising team, they are currently working on the invitation to tender, which will be published in January. The German Championships will probably also be open to riders from abroad. Compared to last year's Gravel DM in Taura, Saxony, the race in the Eifel will be somewhat shorter. In Taura it was 125 kilometres for the women and 150 for the men. The distance of the DM race at the Nürburgring will probably be around 125 kilometres for men and 100 kilometres for women. Participants who have already booked for the Gravel Race but want to rebook for the championship will be able to do so without any problems, the organisers announced in a press release.
Paul Voß wants to defend his title
The 50-kilometre race will also be back on the programme; however, the 25-kilometre route will no longer be offered in 2026. Paul Voß, consultant for the gravel premiere at Rad am Ring and reigning German champion, will be back at the start to defend his title. According to the organiser, minor changes to the course are planned, mainly affecting the ascents and descents to the Nordschleife.
Thomas Musch
Publisher
