19.07.2026 | 12.00 p.m.
86 / 129 kilometers, 2000 / 3000 vertical meters, 2 / 3 laps
THE GRAND FINALE AT 3RIDES GRAVEL WINTERBERG: THE RACE ON SUNDAY IS THE STOP OF THE UCI GRAVEL WORLD SERIES. SO IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WINNING THE STAGE AND THE OVERALL STANDINGS - QUALIFICATION FOR THE GRAVEL WM AND THE GRAVEL EM ARE ALSO AT STAKE.
17-19 JULY 2026 IN WINTERBERG
The grand finale (43 km / approx. 1,000 m per lap) is designed as an official UCI qualification race and makes use of the entire geographical diversity of the region. After the start at the bike park, the field takes a wide arc that initially leads over the fast forest highways of the Winterberg plateau.
The route leaves the plateau early and plunges down into the deep forests of the Rothaargebirge towards the valleys. The area around the lowest point of the loop in particular offers a typical Sauerland panorama of steep slopes and dense forest areas. From here, the arduous return to the heights begins, with the course leading back north over striking mountain ridges and past rugged rock formations.
The decisive element is once again the climb to the Kahler Asten. On this section, the peloton is defencelessly exposed to the elements on the treeless plateau, provoking tactical slipstream games. The route finally leads back to the starting point via the hilly paths around the Bremberg and the ski stadium. With a total of up to 3,000 vertical meters over three laps, this race is a real elimination race in the heart of the "Land of a Thousand Mountains".
THE ROUTE:
