Gravel Worlds Rules for Pro/Elite Category

1. RULE #1: BE COOL!!

1. Simply put, respect others and other people’s things. The golden rule. Do unto others as you would do to yourself. However you say it, this really covers a lot of ground. If you have to ask, it’s probably NOT COOL!!

2. This is the rule across all our events, but as the leaders of our race, we hold our pro athletes to the highest standards.

3. Treating volunteers, event promoters, and fellow participants with blatant disrespect will NOT be tolerated. Such behavior may result in removal from the event and may impact eligibility for future participation.

2. Ticket To Sail

1. All pro riders must apply for the Pro Application.

   1. Riders should be notified within 3 weeks of application if they have been accepted into the pro field.

2. Gravel Worlds reserves the right to refuse participation for anyone without explanation.

3. All pro category riders must check-in themselves with government ID.

4. All pro riders MUST attend (in-person or virtual) the pro riders meeting held Friday. Follow email instructions for updated time and location

3. Self-Supported!!

1. Every rider at Gravel Worlds is given the exact same opportunity of resources once they leave the start line. The only opportunity for refueling will be at the provided checkpoints and oases.

2. Pro Only Checkpoint Services: For the pro races, checkpoints 1 and 2 will be stocked with pre-filled 30oz (.9L) Hydrapak bottles. Volunteers at the checkpoints will be handing bottles up to pro riders. Each rider can take up to 3 30oz bottles per checkpoint. Bottles are pre-filled with either water or 2 scoops of GOODLIFE Nutrition Carb mix.

   1. Dropped bottles must be dropped in a designated area in the Checkpoint. Bottles can not be thrown on the course and will be considered littering and result in a DQ.

   2. Dropped bottles and remaining bottles will be cleaned and donated to NICA.

3. If you need it, bring it with you! No Drop Bags or Outside support.

   1. If there is a special nutrition, hydration, mechanical item or good luck charm you need, BRING IT WITH YOU!

4. Team Support (updated 2026)

   1. Team drafting is allowed.

   2. Each rider is responsible for their person and equipment. This includes hydration, nutrition, and equipment. The following are explicitly not allowed:

      1. Switching wheels, bike or other equipment while on course.

         1. Neutral Mechanical Support will be available at checkpoints.

      2. Riding ahead to the checkpoints/water stops to get bottles for a teammate is not allowed.

      3. A rider carrying extra tools or supplies to service an individual rider.

      4. No coaches, mechanics, or team representatives are allowed on the course or at a checkpoint unless previously approved by Gravel Worlds staff.

      5. During the race, team coaches, mechanics, or representatives can not interact with any rider in any way. This includes but is not limited to: giving out time splits, encouragement, heckling, harassment, obstruction of a roadway, or giving directions.

      6. For media coverage for teams:

         1. Media must be approved by the Gravel Worlds team three weeks prior to the race. Please email Sofia at Sofia@gravel-worlds.com for media approval

         2. Media personnel may not interact with participants in any way. Please observe and document without engaging.

         3. If you are interested in having a film crew, you must receive a media pass and agree to all self-supported rules. If a rider or team’s media team violates these rules, the Gravel Worlds staff reserves the right to disqualify all riders directly involved.

4. Checkpoints and Water Stops (Oasis)

1. The Pro Gravel Worlds Course will have 2 checkpoints and at least 3 additional water stops. Riders may utilize all or none of the provided on-course resources.

   1. Checkpoints: Roughly mile 50-60 and 100-115

      1. Checkpoints are required for all riders to ride through, but not required to stop. Riders must cross the timing mat inside the checkpoint.

      2. Checkpoints and checkpoint navigation will be clearly marked.

      3. See Rule 3.2 regarding pro water bottles.

      4. In case of extreme heat, the organizers may put a mandatory stop rule to ensure all riders are stopping for water. If this rule is put into place, all riders will be informed of the details via email, at the rider meeting, and at the start line.

   2. Water Stops (Oasis): Roughly every 25 miles between checkpoints.

      1. Riders are not required to stop.

5. Separate Starts & Anti-Drafting

1. The Men’s and Women’s pro/elite fields will have separate starts.

2. No Drafting Outside Your Category: Pro Women are not allowed to interact with men participants (PRO or GENERAL FIELD) if they would like an official place and payout. Drafting or taking support from a men’s race participant will result in disqualification from both official placement and payouts in the PRO Women’s fields.

3. Men (PRO or GENERAL FIELD) who are deemed to be intentionally interacting with or interfering with the Pro Women’s field will be disqualified.

6. Course and Navigation

1. All Gravel Worlds events are held on open roads. Following the rules of the road are critical for all athletes and driver’s safety.

2. Stop Signs: Gravel Worlds plans on having a marshal at every stop sign on course. Riders must listen to marshals if they may proceed or stop. Failure to listen to a marshal will result in disqualification.

   1. If a marshal is not present at a stop sign, riders are responsible for treating the stop sign as an active stop sign and stopping to yield for any traffic.

3. STAY TO THE RIGHT!! Athletes must stay right of the center of the road at all times. Riding on the left side of the road.

4. Listen to law enforcement, moto officials, and course marshals. Instructions given by any government or event official must be followed. These officials are there for the overall safety of the event, all participants, and the local communities.

5. The course is unmarked, and riders are responsible for their own navigation via GPS units or cue sheets. Routes will be provided to all participants 2 weeks before race day.

6. If a participant misses a turn or gets off course, they must return to where they left the course before continuing.

7. Stay On The Road!! Riders must stay in the roadway/easement of the roadway at all times. Do not leave the roadway or ditches into any private property.

8. Respect for slower riders.

   1. The Premier 150-course will likely cross and overlap shorter distance courses. Pro riders are required to leave as much room as possible to slower riders and treat any slow riders with respect. Gravel Worlds will provide lead vehicles, finish line support, and signage to help direct slower riders to the right to support faster riders coming from behind.

7. DO NOT LITTER

1. Littering will not be tolerated. Take care of our beautiful countryside, checkpoints, oasis locations, small towns, and start/finish areas. Seriously, no tolerance for littering. The long-term success of our event requires all of us to keep our roads clean.

2. Trash, bottles, and supplies may be dropped at designated drop zones in the checkpoints.

8. Number Plates

1. Riders are required to properly display two number plates. Both must be visible at all times.

2. Seat Number: Must be applied to display from both the left and right sides of the bike.

3. Body Number: Must be applied on the left side of the lower back to be visible from behind and the left side of the person.

9. Equipment

1. HELMET: All riders are required to wear a helmet at all times at any Gravel Worlds sponsored event. This also includes group rides and non-competitive activities.

2. Lights: All PRO riders are required to start/end with a front and rear light. The 150 race starts in the dark, and it is state and local law to have a front and rear light until sunrise.

3. No Aero Bars: AERO BARS ARE BANNED for all Pro racers. Aero bars and aero bar like setups are banned.

4. Functioning Brakes: All bikes are required to have at least 1 functioning brake. No Full Fixies with no rim/rotor brakes.

5. NO TEAM RADIOS

6. E-Bikes: E-Bikes or any form of mechanical assist is prohibited

10. Pro Race: Warning / Disqualification Procedure:

1. Gravel Worlds media motos are driven by UCI and USAC-certified officials who have studied this rulebook. They will be watching the pro men's and pro women's races for blatant rule-breaking and/or safety violations. If they see any riders breaking a rule, disobeying a course marshal, or risking rider safety, they will approach the rider and inform them that they have broken a rule.

2. Depending on the severity of the violation, it is at the discretion of Gravel Worlds Officials to determine if the rider receives a warning or a disqualification.

   1. NOTE: There is no guarantee you will receive a warning if you are caught breaking a rule. Our moto drivers will stand as the final authority as to whether a rule broken results in a warning or a DQ. The moto official’s decision will stand as final. If you are DQ’d on the first sight of a rule broken, then you are DQ’d.

   2. If you are disqualified, the moto official will inform the rider that they are disqualified and radio your number to the timing officials.

3. Disqualified riders may finish the race but will not be placed or receive prize money. Disqualified riders should not interfere or interact with other riders.

10. Anti-Doping

1. Our race follows the same rules set forth by WADA as to banned substances. Any rider serving an active ban for a doping violation from WADA or USADA cannot participate in Gravel Worlds.

2. We reserve the right to refuse participation in the pro / elite race if a rider has tested positive for doping in the last 12 months.

3. Anti-doping tests may be conducted at random for all riders in the pro / elite field. If anti-doping tests are required, the rider will be informed at the finish line. Refusal of doping tests is an automatic disqualification from current year results and all future Gravel Worlds events.

11. Assumption of Risk

1. Gravel racing is inherently dangerous. By entering and participating in the Gravel Worlds Pro Race, each rider acknowledges and accepts that cycling competition involves significant risk of injury, illness, property damage, or death. These risks may arise from both internal and external factors, including but not limited to physical exertion, equipment failure, rider error, course conditions, weather, terrain, road surfaces, interactions with other participants, spectators, volunteers, vehicles, animals, and actions or omissions by other competitors or third parties. By choosing to race, participants knowingly and voluntarily assume all such risks, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, and accept full responsibility for their participation.

12. Plan your voyage.

1. All riders are required to prepare for their own race. Gravel Worlds is not responsible for providing any additional resources, information, or help to a specific athlete.

2. Gravel Worlds is not responsible for pickup in the case of “DNF” or dropping out of the race. Have a plan for pick up if at all needed.

Challenges to any results must come from a registered pro participant within 24 hours of race day to info@gravel-worlds.com.