Even for those who’re not likely a gravel rider, you will concentrate on Unbound. And if you’re, you will know all about it – solely it is more likely to be someplace close to the highest of a listing marked ‘not possible goals’.
This is applicable all of the extra for those who’re Europe-based, making the US race that rather more of a distant dream.
For the uninitiated, Unbound, held in Emporia, Kansas, USA and this 12 months gained by Lachlan Morton, is arguably the world’s most well-known gravel occasion.
Using the occasion as a mere mortal (and a UK / Europe-based one at that) has simply grow to be that little bit much less far-fetched although, as a result of entries for Heathland Gravel, the one European Unbound qualifying race, are actually open.
Heathland will probably be held subsequent August 8-10 at Maasmechelen in Belgium’s far east Limburg province, not removed from Maastricht which is simply throughout the Dutch border.
The important thing occasion at Heathland – the one which may probably achieve you entry to Unbound 2026 – is the 160km (100-mile) race, held on Sunday August 10.
The route takes riders previous and over the slagheaps and mining works synonymous with Belgium’s industrial heritage, and onto the heath to discover what the occasion calls “a few of the finest gravel roads in Flanders”. It is going to additionally characteristic timed sections.
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There are a complete of fifty Unbound locations up for grabs, which may be gained in numerous methods. Half of those will probably be allotted based mostly on age-group performances, whereas the opposite half will probably be allotted at random.
In addition to the principle 160km Unbound qualifying occasion, Heathland Gravel presents 110km (68 miles) and 70km (43.5 miles) distances, plus social rides on the Friday and Saturday.
The weekend will even characteristic music, a Saturday-night campfire, refreshments (together with Belgian beer, after all), and the standard mid-event feed stations, plus finisher’s medal and t-shirt.
This 12 months’s males’s and girls’s Heathland Gravel races – the inaugural editions – had been gained by Jasper Ockeloen (Netherlands) and Fleur Moors (Belgium) respectively.
In distinction, Unbound has a good bit extra pedigree. The truth is, it is probably the most longstanding occasions of its sort.
Previously often called Soiled Kanza, it was first run again in 2006 as a 200-mile occasion. It has since broadened its remit to incorporate 25, 50, 100 and 350-mile ‘XL’ choices and stands nearly as an unofficial world championship on the prime of the gravel tree.
