The course for the Gravel World Championships in South Limburg (October 11 and 12) has been announced. It is a 50-kilometer loop featuring four climbs each lap. Organizer Golazo describes the course in a press release as “typical for the South Limburg landscape.”
The riders face a challenging mix of gravel sections, forest paths, country roads, and steep climbs in South Limburg. The course consists of a roughly 50-kilometer loop through the municipalities of Beek, Beekdaelen, Voerendaal, Meerssen, and Valkenburg, after which the racers head towards the finish in Maastricht. Depending on the category, this loop will be ridden once, twice, or three times. The Ground of Gravel Ride, the recreational ride of the World Championships, follows largely the same route but starts and finishes at VV Alfa Sport in Beekdaelen.
The route includes four climbs ranging from 500 to 1500 meters, with steep sections that can make a difference. The toughest section awaits in the final lap heading into Maastricht: the Bronsdalweg, a one-kilometer climb averaging an eight percent gradient—mostly over gravel. The course also passes notable landmarks in the region, such as Castle Wijnandsrade, the Vaeshartelt estate, and the Sint Hubertus Mill in Beek.
The finish is also special: riders will cross the line on the gravel paths of De Groene Loper, a walking and cycling boulevard that marks the gateway to the city of Maastricht. The first to cross here will earn the world champion title.
You can find the GPX file of the course here.
Bram Tankink: “It will be a World Championship to remember”
The course was co-designed by former rider Bram Tankink. “For me, gravel represents the ultimate freedom on the bike. With this route, we want to combine that freedom with a sporting challenge and a strong connection to the landscape,” said the former pro. “The unexplored gravel sections of the municipalities Beek and Beekdaelen, complemented by De Groene Loper in Maastricht, are the special playground: the terrain is varied, the surroundings breathe cycling history, and each section tells its own story.”
“We have designed a course that not only brings out the best in the riders but also takes them through the most beautiful, raw, and characterful gravel sections in the region. It’s going to be a World Championship to remember, for both pros and enthusiasts.”
