Under bright sunshine and ideal conditions, Velden am Wörthersee once again became the stage for a true gravel festival from April 10–12, 2026. Around 1,700 participants from 40 nations turned the third edition of the Wörthersee Gravel Race into an international top event—featuring elite athletic performance, festival atmosphere, and a strong impact on tourism.
Excitement until the very end: world-class winners
In a highly competitive field, an exciting race unfolded all the way to the finish line. The photo finish showed that the winner crossed the line just five thousandths of a second ahead of the runner-up.
Top 3 Men
- Jordan Habets (Netherlands) – 04:08:59.9
- Gustav Frederik Dahl (Denmark) – 04:08:59.9
- Luis Neff (Germany) – 04:11:29.7
Top 3 Women
- Nicole Frain (Australia) – 04:37:25.7
- Mieke Kröger (Germany) – 04:37:52.1
- Jana Gigele (Austria) – 04:38:07.2
The newly adjusted course around Lake Wörthersee added extra dynamism to the race and was praised by the athletes for its variety and selective nature.
Anton Palzer, former Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe pro rider, also attracted special attention as he competed in his first gravel race at Lake Wörthersee. However, he was forced to abandon the race early due to a triple chain drop.
Gravel festival all weekend long
From as early as Friday, the region was fully dedicated to cycling: a large expo, side events, and numerous program highlights created a true festival atmosphere at Lake Wörthersee. On race day itself, thousands of spectators lined the course and gathered at the finish area in Velden.
A success story with international reach
Race Director Julius Rupitsch was delighted: “It was an incredible race weekend with perfect conditions and a fantastic atmosphere. The development of the Wörthersee Gravel Race in just three years has been remarkable—both athletically and organizationally. We are especially pleased with the positive feedback on the new course.”
Peter Peschel, Managing Director of the Wörthersee-Rosental region, also drew a positive conclusion: “The Wörthersee Gravel Race has firmly established itself as a top international event. With thousands of overnight stays and guests from all over the world, it is a hugely important driver for our region and a key building block on our path to becoming Europe’s leading gravel destination.”
Strong boost for tourism and the region
With around 1,700 participants and approximately 10,000–12,000 overnight stays generated, the event once again provides a noticeable boost to the pre-season. The combination of elite sport, community experience, and tourism value makes the Wörthersee Gravel Race a successful project with a strong future.
Event Highlights 2026
📅 Date: April 10–12, 2026 (main race on April 12)
📍 Start & Finish: Velden am Wörthersee
🚴 Participants: approx. 1,700
🏨 Overnight stays: 10,000–12,000
☺️ Spectators: approx. 8,000
💶 Economic impact: €2–2.4 million
🎪 Expo & supporting program: throughout the entire weekend with up to 30 exhibitors
🌍 International participation & top stars of the scene
Text & Video Credits: Wörthersee Gravel Race | Photo Credits: Sport-IT