Gravel Burn introduces ‘new dimension’ of teams classification at October stage race while schedules revealed for BWR and Grasshopper series – Gravel Bits

The second edition of the seven-day Gravel Burn gravel stage race in South Africa, October 25-31, introduces a teams classification with points to determine standings and prizes. It will be the first such classification recognition at a gravel stage race.

Trade teams of three to four riders, as well as alliances of independent riders, will be eligible for the new classification. The top three riders from each team will earn points that will contribute to the daily standings.

Last year’s men’s champion Matt Beers returns, as well as runner-up Simon Pellaud. Women’s champion Axelle Dubau-Prevot will defend her title, lining up against third-placed Hayley Preen.

Belgian Waffle Ride series seeks sixth event in Colorado

Five events have been confirmed for the Belgian Waffle Ride schedule next year, with a new Colorado event taking shape. Registration opened October 13 for a quartet of US events spread from March to September, while Mexico takes place in late November.

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The sequence of events remains the same, opening in Arizona in early March and then moving to Southern California on May 2, the 16th season for the signature event. The Utah event in Cedar City shifts from June to mid-May, and the Bozeman, Montana event then moves from June to mid-September.

Event organisers Monuments of Gravel are looking to fill the summer with a new event in Colorado, though the location has not been named and it is not known if this will be part of the series. The final ride in the BWR mixed-surface collection will again be held in Mexico on November 21, but is not part of the elite series.

The Quad-Tripel Crown of Gravel series has been offered for several seasons across the US-based collection of events, and will return with the best three of four races determining elite winners. A usual suspect in the series has been Utah, but it may be a standalone race in 2027, according to organisers, and could become a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier.

The Quad-Tripel Crown was won this year by Hayden Christian (Trek-MAAP Pro.Fwd) and Cécile Lejeune (Trek Driftless).

Belgian Waffle Ride schedule 2027March 6 – BWR ArizonaMay 2 – BWR CaliforniaMay 15 – BWR UtahJuly – tbdSeptember 18 – BWR MontanaNovember 21 – BWR Mexico30th season for Grasshopper Adventure Series

The race schedule for the 2027 Grasshopper Adventure Series, now in its 30th year, was released with five races in northern California. The opener takes place at Low Gap on January 31, a 59-mile gravel event with 95% dirt tracks in Ukiah, and culminates at Ukiah Mendo Epic on May 23, a 70-mile mixed-terrain adventure in the same area.

The middle of the schedule includes the classic mixed-terrain Huffmaster on February 28, the road and climbing-heavy King Ridge on March 20 and the gravel-singletrack challenge of Jackson Forest on April 10.

Registration is open, and a series pass for all five events is $675, plus fees, with individual races at $155 each. Prices go up after November 30, two months before the opener.

Last year, Jen Tavé (SpeedBlock-Terún Pro Cycling) and Cassius Anderson (Marin Service Course) secured the overall titles for elite divisions in the five-race Grasshopper Series.

Grasshopper Adventure Series schedule 2027January 31 – Low Gap at Ukiah, CaliforniaFebruary 28 – Huffmaster at Maxwell, CaliforniaMarch 20 – King Ridge at Guerneville, CaliforniaApril 10 – Jackson Forest at Casper, CaliforniaMay 23 – Ukiah Mendo Epic at Ukiah, California