The UCI Gravel Seven got its start in 2017, when organizers aimed to recreate the “Paris-Roubaix” style in their road event, the Tour of Margaret River. After 12 months rolling on the dirt roads around Nannup (Western Australia), the event saw the light of day in 2018. Since then, it has experienced exponential growth, doubling in size year after year.
There has been so much growing interest in the region that the picturesque town of Nannup will host the UCI Gravel World Championships in 2026. Although it may now be a bit far away, there is always interest in visiting the venue for the world championships.
As we have explained, the tour begins and ends in Nannup, a hidden gem located approximately 40 minutes drive from the main regional centers of Busselton, Bridgetown and Margaret River. More specifically, it starts in the cafe and bicycle shop Melo Velo, which this year is the epicenter of the event in the town. Its land along Brockman Street will be the ideal starting point to begin the 125 km route, which winds around the triangle formed by connecting the towns of Nannup, Bridgetown and Donnybrook.
Photography by Daniela Tommasi Photography
The route has 96% of unpaved roads that run from pine plantations to state forests and farms. It is a sort of what we could call "individual parallel tracks."
Thanks to the topography of the valley and the peaks between Nannup and Balingup, the route takes in the best climbs the state has to offer, which vary in length from 1.2 km to 4.5 km, with particularly tough gradients reaching the 20% of unevenness.
Photography by Daniela Tommasi Photography