In the country that started the gravel racing revolution 20 years ago, only 407 riders showed up at the Highlands Gravel Classic in Arkansas, USA on Saturday to try and qualify for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships. That is a far cry from Belgium’s sold-out Turnhout Gravel race last month that attracted 2500 racers.

Winning the first of two UCI Gravel World Championship qualifying races in the USA was 29 year-old American Skyler Taylor on the men’s 68-mile route in 3:29:10. Tim McBirney finished second after falling just short of victory in the final dash to the line. Kyle Kalish was next at 3:31:08.

American Crystal Anthony, 44, was the fastest women, finishing in 3:59:28. Jenna Rinehart claimed second place 10-seconds later, with Laura King third in 4:03:04.

The shorter 54-mile race for older categories (M60+, W50+) was won by Martin Bell, 60, in 3:18:32 for the men and Beth Leasure-Hudson, 62, for the women in 3:31:32.

Riders finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category automatically qualify for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships taking place this October in the Netherlands.

The next USA based UCI Gravel World Championship Series qualifying race, MammothTUFF, takes place high up in California’s Sierra Mountains 13 September.

Complete Highlands Gravel Classic results HERE

Photo Credit: Facebook/highlandsgravelclassic

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