Red On Sports to Step Away From the British Gravel Championships After 2025
After five years of building, elevating, and championing gravel racing in the United Kingdom, Red On Sports today announces that the 2025 British Gravel Championships will be the final edition delivered by the organisation. From 2026 onward, Red On Sports will no longer be involved in hosting the Championships.
Why 2025 Will Be the Final Edition Under Red On Sports
When we first embarked on this journey in 2021, we proactively approached British Cycling to explore working together to help develop this new discipline. However, after choosing not to be involved during the formative five years of growth and delivery, British Cycling is now looking to take the Championships forward under their own structure.
Despite extensive efforts over the past year, Red On Sports has been unable to reach an agreement with British Cycling (BC) that protects the integrity, ambition, and sustainability of the Championships.
While the Championships have grown into a well-established, proven national event with years of learning behind it, the proposed BC framework positioned future editions in a way that does not recognise this maturity. The approach presented by BC treated the event more like an untested or pilot format, rather than building on what already works and what has demonstrably elevated British gravel racing.
It has also not been possible to secure key guarantees that we view as essential for the continued progression of the discipline, including:
● Fair and safe racing delivery across all categories
● Long-term investment in visibility, media and livestream
● Racing for all age groups, delivered through established and recognised age-category structures
● Sustainable event growth built on professional standards and high-quality delivery.
In addition, the proposed commercial model does not offer a viable pathway to sustaining a world-class championship. Instead, it leans on delivery structures that no longer reflect modern expectations for professional, high-standard event organisation and a fair level of risk-sharing between partners.
In the absence of these assurances, the continued investment in and delivery of the British Gravel Championships by Red On Sports has been made impossible under the framework British Cycling is putting forward.
As a result, it's with great sadness that Red On Sports will no longer deliver the British Gravel Championships and will also not be taking part in the tender process British Cycling has invited us to join for 2026.
Five Years of Growth, Progress and Community
Since its creation, the British Gravel Championships has grown from an ambitious new concept into one of the most respected gravel events in Europe. Participation has expanded dramatically, from just under 300 riders in the inaugural edition, where Alistair Brownlee and Ruth Astle claimed the first national gravel titles, to more than 1,000 registered competitors in the 2025 edition, where Connor Swift and Lizzie Hermolle took home the Elite victories on a weekend that also featured the inaugural Gravel Time Trial, charity rides and much more.
This growth reflects not only the rising popularity of gravel racing, but also the Championships’ role in establishing a complete pathway for all riders, from juniors and first-timers to elite professionals and masters age-group competitors.
Raising Global Visibility for British Gravel
The Championships have helped shine an international spotlight on British gravel racing. The industry-leading livestream of the 2025 edition, made possible by investment from Red On Sports, Ribble and North Yorkshire Council surpassed 34,000 viewers across more than 50 countries, with strong audiences in the UK, USA, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands. This global reach has elevated both the prestige of the event and the visibility of British riders on the world stage.
A Festival of British Gravel
Over five years, Red On Sports has built far more than a national championship, it has created a full celebration of British Gravel. Each edition has evolved into a weekend-long festival that blends competitive racing for riders of all levels with family activities, group rides, charity fundraising, and opportunities for newcomers and recreational cyclists to take part in non-competitive formats. Together, these elements have helped establish the Championships as a welcoming, inclusive, and community-focused cornerstone of the UK gravel calendar.
World-Class Sporting Integrity
The event has consistently delivered premium organisation, professional race delivery, and the highest standards of safety and fairness. With dedicated, standalone racing for women’s categories alongside the men’s fields, and the strong participation of top male and female elite athletes, the Championships have set a benchmark for equality and excellence in UK gravel racing.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the partners, supporters, volunteers, and brands who have believed in the Championships and helped shape them into what they are today.
A Thank You — And an Exciting Road Ahead
To all riders, supporters, partners, communities, families, and fans: thank you. You have helped create a movement, not just a race. The Championships, as delivered by Red On Sports, stand as proof of what passionate, rider-first development can achieve.
But our journey in gravel is far from over.
The Gralloch — Europe’s Fastest-Growing Gravel Festival
Red On Sports remains deeply committed to the future of world-class gravel events in the UK. Our investment continues through The Gralloch, which is rapidly becoming Europe’s largest and most exciting gravel festival, growing stronger each year and already a fixture on the international racing calendar.
We will continue to champion elite-level and age-group gravel racing in the UK while delivering incredible experiences for both competitive riders and those who simply love exploring gravel without the competitive pressures.
Stay With Us for the Next Chapter
And looking to 2026, we are preparing a brand-new, flagship gravel event that will build on everything we’ve learned and everything this community deserves.