Gravel Race Calendar
Gravel races 2026 are no longer a niche corner of cycling. From professional series and UCI qualifiers to ultra-distance adventures and festival-style events, gravel has become one of the most exciting disciplines in the sport.
Some riders chase results. Others chase distance, landscapes, community or the simple satisfaction of finishing something hard. That is what makes gravel racing different. It can be fast, brutal, social, technical, remote and unpredictable, often all in the same event.
At AMS, gravel sits naturally between what we have always built: protection, grip, comfort and products designed for real riding. This guide brings together some of the most important gravel races in 2026, including major series, UCI qualifiers and the events we think every gravel rider should know.
We are also proud to be an official sponsor of Grinduro, one of the events that best captures the spirit of modern gravel: racing, adventure and good times in equal measure. To celebrate that partnership, we created the AMS x Grinduro Gravel Frame Guard Total, inspired by Grinduro’s identity, colors and festival spirit.
Gravel Races 2026: Major Events and Series to Follow
This calendar is designed as a practical resource for riders planning their 2026 gravel season. Dates, registration windows and event formats can change, so always check the official race website before making travel plans.
If you are preparing for one of these events, explore our gravel and bikepacking accessories, bar tape collection and AMS Honeycomb Chain Guard Road Gravel Clear before race day.
Life Time Grand Prix 2026
The Life Time Grand Prix is one of the most important off-road racing series in North America. It is not a pure gravel series, because it combines gravel and mountain bike events, but it has become central to the professional gravel scene.
For 2026, the series includes six races across the United States:
- Sea Otter Classic Gravel – April 16, 2026 – Monterey, California – Official event page
- UNBOUND Gravel 200 – May 30, 2026 – Emporia, Kansas – Official event page
- Leadville Trail 100 MTB – August 15, 2026 – Leadville, Colorado – Official event page
- Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival – September 19, 2026 – Wisconsin – Life Time Grand Prix page
- Little Sugar MTB – October 11, 2026 – Bentonville, Arkansas – Official event page
- Big Sugar Gravel – October 17, 2026 – Bentonville, Arkansas – Official event page
AMS note: UNBOUND remains the race most gravel riders measure themselves against. Flint, distance, speed and mechanical risk make it one of the hardest days on a bike. For events like this, frame protection is not about keeping a bike pretty. It is about reducing the damage caused by flying stones, bag rub and long hours on rough terrain.
UCI Gravel World Series 2026
The UCI Gravel World Series is the official qualification pathway to the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, which will take place in Nannup, Western Australia, on October 10–11, 2026.
Riders can qualify for the World Championships by finishing in the required qualifying percentage of their category at selected UCI Gravel World Series events. The exact rules should always be checked on the official UCI Gravel World Series website before entering.
Selected 2026 UCI Gravel World Series events include:
- The Gralloch – May 16, 2026 – Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland – Official event page
- Sea Otter Europe Girona – September 19, 2026 – Girona, Spain – Official event page
- Mammoth TUFF – September 19, 2026 – Mammoth Lakes, California – Official event page
- Pyrénées Catalanes Gravel Tour – September 26, 2026 – Font-Romeu, France – UCI event page
- UCI Gravel World Championships – October 10–11, 2026 – Nannup, Western Australia – Official UCI page
AMS note: UCI gravel racing has changed the way many riders approach the discipline. It is still gravel, but the front of the race often looks closer to road racing: fast starts, aggressive positioning, technical descents and very little margin for mistakes.
Iconic Gravel Races in Europe
Europe has become one of the strongest gravel regions in the world. Spain, Italy, France, Scotland and Belgium now host events that attract elite riders, ambitious amateurs and adventure-focused cyclists from around the world.
The Traka 2026
Date: April 30 – May 3, 2026
Location: Girona, Spain
Official page: The Traka
The Traka is one of the most important gravel events in Europe and a home reference for AMS. Girona has become a global gravel destination for a reason: fast tracks, technical sectors, climbs, heat, wind and a riding culture that feels deeply connected to the territory.
If there is one European gravel event that defines the modern scene, The Traka is near the top of the list.
Ranxo Gravel 2026
Date: June 7, 2026
Location: Ponts, Lleida, Spain
Official page: Ranxo Gravel
Ranxo Gravel brings riders into the dry, demanding terrain of inland Catalonia. It is a very different experience from Girona: more remote, more exposed and often more physical than riders expect.
For gravel riders looking for a Spanish event with character, Ranxo deserves serious attention.
Badlands 2026
Date: August 30, 2026
Location: Granada / Almería, Spain
Official page: Badlands
Badlands is less a gravel race than a survival exercise on a bike. The 2026 edition covers around 800 km and 16,000 m of climbing through some of the most extreme terrain in Europe, including desert landscapes, the Mediterranean coast and high mountain sections.
This is not the event you enter casually. It rewards preparation, patience and equipment that can handle heat, dust, distance and fatigue.
Grinduro
Format: Gravel race, enduro-style timed segments and festival
Official page: Grinduro
Grinduro is different from most gravel races. It combines long gravel riding with timed segments, but the experience is not just about results. It is about the weekend, the people, the music, the food and the atmosphere around the race.
That is why the event fits AMS so naturally. It is competitive without being sterile. Serious riding, but not boring riding.
Discover our AMS x Grinduro Gravel Frame Guard Total, created to celebrate this partnership.
Iconic Gravel Races in the USA
The United States remains one of the spiritual homes of modern gravel racing. Huge distances, remote roads, unpredictable weather and a culture of self-supported suffering have shaped the sport.
UNBOUND Gravel
Date: May 30, 2026
Location: Emporia, Kansas
Official page: UNBOUND Gravel
UNBOUND is often described as the race that defines gravel. The Flint Hills are fast, exposed and brutal on equipment. Tires, drivetrains, frames and riders all take a beating.
It is not just the distance that makes UNBOUND hard. It is the constant pressure of the terrain, the weather, the pace and the risk of mechanical problems at exactly the wrong moment.
Mammoth TUFF
Date: September 19, 2026
Location: Mammoth Lakes, California
Official page: Mammoth TUFF
Mammoth TUFF combines altitude, mountain terrain and proper gravel difficulty. As part of the UCI Gravel World Series, it is also one of the key American qualification opportunities for riders targeting the Gravel World Championships.
Big Sugar Gravel
Date: October 17, 2026
Location: Bentonville, Arkansas
Official page: Big Sugar Classic
Big Sugar closes the Life Time Grand Prix season and has become one of the most important gravel events in the United States. The terrain around Bentonville is fast, rough and constantly changing, making it a fitting end to the North American off-road racing season.
AMS Gear for Gravel Racing
Gravel racing is hard on equipment. Flying stones, dust, vibration, frame bags, chain slap and long hours in the saddle all leave their mark. The right setup will not make the race easy, but it can help your bike survive it better and help you stay more comfortable for longer.
Frame Protection
Gravel bikes take constant abuse from stones, mud, bags and cable rub. Our gravel and bikepacking accessories include protection designed for riders who want to keep their bikes ready for long days on rough terrain.
Bar Tape
Hands, wrists and shoulders absorb thousands of small impacts during a gravel race. Good bar tape matters more than many riders think, especially on corrugated roads, rough tracks and long-distance events.
Chain Protection
Gravel racing often means rough surfaces, fast descents and constant drivetrain movement. The AMS Honeycomb Chain Guard Road Gravel Clear helps protect the chainstay area from chain slap and everyday wear without changing the look of the bike.
FAQ: Gravel Races 2026
What are the biggest gravel races in 2026?
Some of the biggest gravel races and events in 2026 include UNBOUND Gravel, The Traka, Badlands, Ranxo Gravel, Mammoth TUFF, Big Sugar Gravel and selected UCI Gravel World Series events.
Where are the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships?
The 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships will take place in Nannup, Western Australia, on October 10–11, 2026.
How do riders qualify for the UCI Gravel World Championships?
Riders can qualify through official UCI Gravel World Series events by finishing within the required qualifying percentage of their category. Always check the official UCI Gravel World Series rules before entering, because qualification details can change.
Is the Life Time Grand Prix a gravel-only series?
No. The Life Time Grand Prix is an off-road racing series that combines gravel and mountain bike events. It includes gravel races such as Sea Otter Classic Gravel, UNBOUND Gravel and Big Sugar Gravel, but also MTB events such as Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Little Sugar MTB.
What gear matters most for gravel racing?
The essentials are reliable tires, comfortable contact points, frame protection, enough hydration and a setup that has already been tested before race day. For AMS, the key areas are simple: protect the bike, improve comfort and keep control when the terrain gets rough.
Final Thoughts
The best gravel races in 2026 are not all the same.
Some are fast and tactical. Some are remote and unpredictable. Some feel like road races on dirt, while others feel closer to an expedition. That variety is exactly why gravel keeps growing.
Choose your race carefully. Prepare your bike properly. Respect the terrain.
Then go ride.
