On 11 and 12 October 2025, South Limburg will be the stage for the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships. The world’s best gravel riders will gather for this unique event, which will take place on Dutch soil for the very first time. With a start in Beek, a stunning gravel route through Beekdaelen, and a spectacular finish on the Groene Loper in Maastricht, the Province of Limburg will once again put itself on the international map as a leading cycling region.
The event is organised by Golazo, in close cooperation with the UCI, the Province of Limburg, the municipalities of Beek, Beekdaelen and Maastricht, and the KNWU. The 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships give South Limburg the opportunity to link its rich cycling tradition with an innovative and rapidly growing discipline within the sport.
A unique and challenging course
The course will take riders over a mix of gravel tracks, forest trails, country roads and climbs that reflect the rolling South Limburg hill landscape. Both elite riders (men and women) and qualified amateurs will take part in the championship. Qualification is possible through the international UCI Gravel World Series, including the Marly Grav Race 2025 in Valkenburg held on 11 May.
Gravel: the fastest-growing discipline in cycling
The UCI Gravel World Championships is a relatively new championship, with the first edition only held in 2022. The discipline combines elements of road cycling, cyclo-cross and mountain biking, and is rapidly gaining popularity. The Netherlands has already been very successful in this sport: in last year’s edition, between Halle and Leuven in Flanders, Mathieu van der Poel and Marianne Vos were among those crowned world champions.
Reactions from those involved
Stephan Satijn, Provincial Executive Member for Economy and Tourism, Province of Limburg:
“The 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships is a unique opportunity for Limburg. It brings world-class top-level sport to our province, promotes grassroots participation, and gives a powerful boost to the local economy. This way, we further strengthen Limburg’s international profile as a sporty and welcoming region. ”
Raymond Dirx, Alderman for Sport, Municipality of Beek:
“Where better to start this world championship than in Beek? With sports estate De Haamen, we are a true sports municipality. Moreover, Beek lies on the edge of the Heuvelland, the beautiful and rolling South Limburg landscape that offers cycling enthusiasts challenge and enjoyment all year round. We warmly welcome the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships to Beek!”
Jeannette Quadvlieg, Alderman for Sport, Municipality of Beekdaelen:
“As a green, rural municipality, we focus on quality of life, physical activity, and experiencing the landscape. The Gravel World Championships fits perfectly with our vision: a landscape to cherish and to experience – with routes that also cross Beekdaelen. For us, the landscape is more than a backdrop; it’s alive. The organisation of the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships will undoubtedly take that to heart.”
Hubert Mackus, Alderman for Sport, Municipality of Maastricht:
“With the finish on Maastricht’s new Groene Loper, we are giving the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships a beautiful finale. We are proud to be part of an event that so perfectly combines sport, nature, and tourism, connecting our unique city and region in such a natural way.”
Wilbert Lek, Managing Director, Golazo Netherlands:
“Golazo is incredibly proud to organise the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships in beautiful South Limburg. In the Netherlands, Golazo has built a strong reputation as the organiser of world-class running events such as the NN Marathon Rotterdam and various recreational tours. With our global expertise in gravel – including managing the UCI Gravel World Series on behalf of the UCI and organising the 2024 UCI Bolero Gravel World Championships in Flanders – we are excited to bring international top-level cycling to the Netherlands. In 2026, Golazo will also organise the UEC Cyclo-cross European Championships in Zeddam.”
Maurice Leeser, CEO, KNWU:
“It is fantastic that the Netherlands will host the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships. As KNWU, we firmly believe in the growth of gravel as a full-fledged discipline within cycling. With the knowledge, infrastructure, and commitment of South Limburg, we can deliver a world championship of the highest level that our riders – and the public – will be proud of.”
Thomas van Berchem, Head of Marketing & Policy, Bolero:
“After the European Gravel Championships in 2023 and the Gravel World Championships in Leuven in 2024, we at Bolero are delighted to once again be the title sponsor of the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships, taking place in the heart of Europe. We feel a strong connection with gravel: a rapidly growing sport accessible to both amateurs and professionals. Just like Bolero: a fast-growing brand that makes the stock market accessible to both beginner and more experienced investors. We look forward to a weekend full of international top-level sport, inspiration, and community.”
