Skip to content

In pictures: Gravel racing stars in Galloway

Red On Sports A gravel road racer in a blue and pink top and black shorts speeds through a dusty forest trackRed On Sports
Conditions were hot and dry for the gravel race in south west Scotland

The world's elite gravel bike racers gathered in Galloway at the weekend for the latest edition of The Gralloch.

Riders from 35 different nations descended on Gatehouse of Fleet to tackle the 111km (70 mile) route.

After a gruelling race, the men's elite race was decided by just 0.03 seconds and went to Petr Vakoc.

The women's elite race also saw a close finish with Tessa Neefjes emerging the winner after a four-way sprint.

Red On Sports A group of cyclists create a dust cloud along a route through Galloway forestRed On Sports
Both men's and women's races had close finishes this year

The Gralloch describes itself as the United Kingdom's premier gravel cycling event and is the first to be included in the UCI Gravel World Series.

It has attracted some of the world's best riders to south west Scotland since it was first held in 2023.

Alongside the elite competitive races it offered a non-competitive sportive this year for amateur cyclists to try out the course.

It also puts on a wide range of entertainment across the days that it is held.

Red On Sports/Angus MacKinnon Cycle racers sprint across the grassRed On Sports/Angus MacKinnon
After 70 miles of racing the men's elite race was decided by a fraction of a second

Women's race winner Neefjes praised the south of Scotland course.

"We had such a lovely day out," she said.

"With this weather and the atmosphere here it is absolutely one of my favourite races.

"So to win this one is so nice."

Red On Sports Cyclists pedal off into the distance along a dusty trackRed On Sports
The Gralloch is part of the UCI calendar of gravel events
Red On Sports/Angus MacKinnnon A cyclist in a green top and dark glasses punches the air in celebrationRed On Sports/Angus MacKinnnon
Close finishes were the order of the day at this year's race
Red On Sports Four cyclings head up a hill on a gravel path through lush, green countrysideRed On Sports
The south of Scotland provides the ideal test for the world's best gravel racers
Red On Sports/Angus MacKinnon Three women on a podium hold their trophies in the airRed On Sports/Angus MacKinnon
Racers from around the world took part in the event
Red On Sports Two riders pedal across the gravel with trees in the backgroundRed On Sports
The Gralloch has become a fixture on the gravel racing calendar in a short space of time
Red On Sports A gravel path wends its way through a forest of treesRed On Sports
The routes across Galloway are a perfect backdrop for the race