2023 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships

September 9, 2023

Gering, NE

The 2023 Gravel National Championship offers open-entry opportunities for junior, adult, masters, and para-cycling athletes.

The Elite/Open category is open to riders age 19+ and comes with a prize purse for the top five finishers in the men’s and women’s categories as well as automatic selection to the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships for the top three.

For many of the remaining championship events, categories are determined by the rider’s age + gender. If a rider wants to complete in a distance outside of their designated age + gender category, they may register for the Adventure Ride distance of their choice. All Adventure Rides are participation-only and are not factored into national championship awards or placements.

All championship-level events require a membership with a domestic racing license.

2023 Gravel Nats Fan Conduct 1440x500

FAN CODE OF CONDUCT

The Fan Code of Conduct is applicable to all attendees of USA Cycling sanctioned events, whether as a spectator, participant, or otherwise.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Race Qualification

  • Do I need a USA Cycling license to register?

    Yes, you must have a USA Cycling racing membership to register for the 2023 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships. Those memberships are RACE, RACE+, JUNIOR, JUNIOR+, COLLEGIATE, COLLEGIATE+, INTERNATIONAL, or INTERNATIONAL+. You can go here to purchase your membership. You may race the Adventure Rides with a one-day license.

  • What categories are going to be offered?

    We will offer men’s and women’s Elite/Open, and para-cycling. The following age group categories for men and women will be available: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+ and singlespeed. We will also offer a non-binary category. Para-cycling categories include: BVI, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5.

  • How do I qualify?

    This is an open-entry event, meaning participants do not have to qualify at a previous event. To participate in the event, you must hold an annual USA Cycling racing membership (any category of membership that includes a domestic racing license) and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien. For those participating in the Elite/Open you must be a U.S. citizen.

  • Who can compete in the Elite/Open category?

    Any racer age 19 and older can compete in the Elite/Open category if they feel that’s their appropriate skill level. To race the Elite/Open categories, you must be a U.S. Citizen, hold a USA Cycling racing membership, and register for that category.

  • What are the category requirements?

    There are no category/upgrade requirements for this event. Junior and Masters categories are determined by age + gender. Para-cycling categories are determined by class + gender.

Race Entry

  • What is a UCI ID?

    To compete in a USA Cycling National Championship, riders must have their date of birth, gender, and citizenship or permanent resident status verified. Elite/Open riders must do this by obtaining a UCI ID. Other championship categories must attest to this information in the registration flow.

    Having verified this information, a free UCI ID is issued. Only riders within the Elite/Open category will be issued a UCI ID if they do not already have one. This is not a UCI license. If a UCI ID is not currently displayed on your license, log into your USA Cycling My Account and look for this in your Profile link. If these items are not listed or are incorrect, please do the following to update your account:

    • Create a copy of your birth certificate or passport and Permanent Resident Status (Green Card) as it applies.
    • Email it to the membership department at membership@usacycling.org or by fax (719-434-4300).

    A UCI ID is your lifelong, internationally unique identity number to confirm your racing status and maintain your privacy in internationally published registration and results documents. You can find out more about UCI IDs here.

  • When will registration be open?

    Registration will open Friday, July 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. MDT. The registration page can be found here.

  • Where can I purchase my license to register?

    Go here to purchase your USA Cycling RACE membership.

Race Details

Miscellaneous

  • Is there payout?

    We are offering a $60,000 prize list for the Elite/Open categories, marking the largest single-day cash prize in the history of American gravel. The prize breakdown for the Elite/Open Men’s and Women’s categories is as follows:

    1st:
    $12,000
    2nd:
    $8,000
    3rd:
    $5,000
    4th:
    $3,000
    5th:
    $2,000


  • Will this qualify me for the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships?

    The Elite/Open Men’s and Women’s race will count as an automatic qualifier for the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships in Venetia, Italy, October 7-8. The top three in the Elite Men’s and Women’s events will automatically qualify for the World Championships with varied funding provided by USA Cycling. The finalized World Championship Elite selection criteria will be published in the coming weeks. If you would like to be notified when the criteria is posted for all categories, please subscribe to our email list here.

    Additionally, age group race winners will automatically qualify for their respective categories for the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships. The full qualification system is still being developed by the UCI and the Trek Gravel World Series.

  • Are there any ancillary events during the 2023 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships?

    Yes, we will be working with our host community for ancillary events that all can take part in pre- and post-event. Participants will have the opportunity to celebrate their rides and engage with fellow racers at the event expo and a post-race competitor’s party.

  • Will there be childcare available during the race?

    Through a partnership with the local YMCA, childcare will be available on race day from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children will enjoy a variety of adventurous activities throughout the day in a well-supervised, DHHS-licensed environment. The cost will be $75 per child for children aged 3-11. All children must be potty trained, and please Bring a water bottle, morning/afternoon snack, sack lunch, and any extra clothing or necessities your child may need throughout the day.

    The last day to sign up is Friday, September 1. You can register your child at the front desk or call the YMCA at 308-635-2318.

    Contact Valerie Smith if you have questions 308-635-2318


“There’s not much we can take credit for as Americans in the history of cycling. But gravel cycling has its roots deeply embedded here, and because of that, I see the USA Cycling Gravel National Championship as the natural progression in the development of our sport. With equal distance and prize money and this event represents what a true American gravel race should be. I would love to see an American win a World Championship, solidifying our place on the world stage, and in the process, grow our sport. As an automatic qualifing event for the World Championships with USA Cycling's backing is a huge step in making that happen.”

-Lauren De Crescenzo


Lauren De Crescenzo Unbound 600x400

Shop for the latest gear!


Sign Up for #GravelNats Info!