Škoda Auto partners Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships

Gravel is one of the fastest-growing cycling disciplines, combining elements of road and mountain biking. This year, the fourth edition will see leading riders compete on a demanding course across natural terrain in the province of Limburg, around Beek and Maastricht. Alongside the appeal of racing on natural terrain, the format brings together the men’s and women’s professional elite with amateur enthusiasts, who start shortly after the pros and ride the same route in their age groups.

The organisers have prepared a varied course: on Saturday the women cover 131 km, and on Sunday the men tackle 180 km. The route features four climbs between 500 and 1,500 metres in length, with several steep ramps. The toughest section comes near the finish, where riders face more than one kilometre at an average gradient of 8%, mostly on gravel. The reigning UCI gravel world champions are Mathieu van der Poel (NED) and his compatriot Marianne Vos (NED).

Škoda Auto is supplying seven electrified vehicles for the organisers’ use, including five fully electric Enyaqs. The all-electric Elroq will be showcased trackside. Visitors can look forward to a full programme including giveaways and fan activities at two Škoda stands next to the start and finish. There will be competitions and games, as well as a mobile café built in the Elroq, serving Škoda’s own sustainable Curiosity Fuel coffee. Thousands of fans are expected to attend, with millions of viewers following the events via live broadcasts.

This spring, Škoda announced it will be a partner for the next two seasons of two flagship UCI events: the Mountain Bike World Championships and the Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships. In doing so, the Czech carmaker has expanded its already extensive support for cycling, rooted in its rich heritage.

The company’s founders, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, began manufacturing bicycles in Mladá Boleslav in 1895. Cycling is one of the main pillars of Škoda Auto’s sponsorship activities, including world-renowned races. Chief among these are the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España stage races. In addition, last year the company extended its partnership with organiser A.S.O. through to 2028.