The Oceania Cycling Confederation has announced that it will crown its first gravel champions in 2026. This significant development will take place at the RADL GRVL event on January 23, marking the region’s entry into the world of gravel racing alongside Europe and Africa. The introduction of this title reflects the rising popularity of gravel cycling, which joins the established disciplines of track, road, mountain bike, and para cycling.
The new Oceania title will be awarded in a pivotal year for gravel racing, as the first UCI Gravel World Championships outside Europe will also occur in Western Australia on October 10-11. According to Tony Mitchell, President of the Oceania Cycling Confederation and a member of the UCI Management Committee, the Oceania Gravel Championships offer crucial qualification opportunities. “Elite and age group winners will automatically secure their place at the World Championships,” he stated.
Australia has been at the forefront of embracing this discipline. The Nannup SEVEN event was among the first World Series races in 2022. Notably, Australia introduced its national gravel championships in 2018, paving the way for further developments in the sport. The decision to host the inaugural Oceania championships at RADL GRVL benefits from an early-season time slot, allowing top gravel riders from the region to participate during the southern hemisphere summer.
Popular gravel races such as Unbound and the Life Time Grand Prix series attract competitors like Australia’s Brendan Johnston and Courtney Sherwell, along with New Zealand’s Samara Maxwell and Cameron Jones. These athletes often shift their focus to the United States later in the year, while others, such as Tiffany Cromwell, transition to road racing events in Europe.
The 115-kilometre gravel race will take place around McLaren Vale as part of the events surrounding the opening of the road racing season at the Tour Down Under. This prestigious event has already drawn significant attention from both national and international cycling communities. The addition of a continental title in 2026 will further heighten interest among cycling fans and participants alike.
Cromwell, the 2025 winner of RADL GRVL and Australian gravel champion, expressed enthusiasm for the new championship. “As a junior racer, the Oceania Road and Track Championships were always a season highlight,” she remarked. “Adding gravel to the Championships creates new pathways for emerging talent and elite athletes alike to qualify for the world stage.”
With the inaugural Oceania Gravel Championships set to take place in January 2026, the cycling landscape in Oceania is poised for an exciting evolution, fostering new talent and enhancing the region’s presence in the global cycling arena.
