The gravelliest UCI Gravel World Championships of them all – A detailed look at the 'perfect storm' of terrain that riders will face this October in Western Australia

The UCI Gravel World Championships in Western Australia this October are set to be the most challenging yet, with organisers unveiling a course featuring "Liège-Bastogne-Liège style climbs" carved from the region's extensive gravel network. This promises a brutal test, moving beyond the traditional gravel race profile to incorporate significant vertical metres and technical demands, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for the rainbow jersey.

This shift towards a more arduous, road-race-esque profile for the Gravel Worlds is a significant evolution for the discipline, which has often walked a fine line between endurance and outright power. Previous editions, while tough, haven't explicitly invoked the difficulty of a Monument. This course design could favour riders with a strong road background and climbing prowess over pure gravel specialists, raising questions about the future direction of the championship and its identity within cycling.

Ultimately, the UCI's mission to legitimise gravel racing continues apace, now with added gradients. One can only hope the "perfect storm" of terrain doesn't also include a perfect storm of punctures.