Although the this year’s UCI Gravel World Championship is still four months away, the UCI just added a new 2026 world championship qualifying race to the calendar.

Portugal’s Alentejo Gravel will join the UCI Gravel World Series on Sunday 9 November, affording elite and age group racers an opportunity to qualify for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championship planned in Australia.

The race will take place in the cosy little town of Ourique, two hours south of Lisbon, on a 119 kilometer long route through iconic cork forests, rolling hills, and wildflower fields. An 87 kilometer route will be used for the older age group categories. Competitors finishing in the top 25% of their UCI age/gender category automatically qualify for the 2026 gravel world championship.

Alentejo Gravel is the fourth qualifying race already on the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series calendar, following Legacy Gravel in Belgium on 19 October 2025, Australia’s Gravelista on 26 October 2025 and Dustman in Thailand 1 November 2025.

Complete UCI Gravel World Series Calendar available HERE

Photo Credit: cabreirasolutions.com

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