On October 11 and 12, 2025, South Limburg will be the stage for the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships. The world’s best gravel cyclists will gather for this unique event, which will take place on Dutch soil for the very first time. Starting in Beek, the route follows a stunning gravel course through Beekdaelen and finishes with a spectacular finale on the Groene Loper in Maastricht. With this event, the Province of Limburg once again establishes itself internationally as a leading cycling region.
The event is organized by Golazo, in close collaboration with the UCI, the Province of Limburg, the municipalities of Beek, Beekdaelen and Maastricht, and the KNWU. Hosting the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships gives South Limburg the opportunity to combine its rich cycling heritage with an innovative and rapidly growing discipline in the sport.
A unique and challenging course
The course leads riders over a mix of gravel paths, forest trails, country roads, and climbs of South Limburg’s hilly landscape. Both elite riders (men/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 held in Valkenburg on May 11.
Gravel: the fastest growing discipline in cycling
The UCI Gravel World Championships is a relatively new event, with its inaugural edition held in 2022. The discipline blends elements of road cycling, cyclocross and mountain biking, and is rapidly gaining popularity. The Netherlands is already highly successful in this discipline: at the previous edition, held in Halle and Leuven in Flanders, both Mathieu van der Poel and Marianne Vos claimed world championship titles.
Reactions from stakeholders
Deputy for Economy and Tourism of the Province of Limburg, Stephan Satijn:
“The 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships is a unique opportunity for Limburg. It brings world-class elite sports to our province, promotes mass participation sports, and provides a strong boost to the local economy. This event further strengthens Limburg’s international reputation as a sporty and welcoming region.”
Councilor for Sports of the Municipality of Beek, Raymond Dirx:
“Where better to start this World Championship than in Beek? With sports estate De Haamen, we are a true sports municipality. Beek is also located at the edge of the Heuvelland, the beautiful rolling hills of South Limburg that offer cyclists challenge and enjoyment all year round. We warmly welcome the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships to Beek!”
Councilor for Sports of the Municipality of Beekdaelen, Jeannette Quadvlieg:
“As a green, rural municipality, we are committed to quality of life, physical activity, and experiencing the landscape. The Gravel World Championships align perfectly with our vision: a landscape to cherish and to enjoy – with routes that pass through Beekdaelen as well. For us, the landscape is more than a backdrop; it’s alive. We are confident the organizers of the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships will recognize and embrace that.”
Councilor for Sports of the Municipality of Maastricht, Hubert Mackus:
“With the finish line on Maastricht’s new Groene Loper, we’re offering a spectacular finale for the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships. We’re proud to be part of an event that so beautifully brings together sport, nature, and tourism, and connects our unique city and region in such a natural way.”
Managing Director of Golazo Netherlands, Wilbert Lek:
“Golazo is incredibly proud to organize the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships in the beautiful region of South Limburg. In the Netherlands, Golazo has built a strong reputation as the organizer of world-class running events, such as the NN Marathon Rotterdam and various recreational cycling tours. With our global gravel expertise, including our role as UCI’s manager of the UCI Gravel World Series and organizer of the 2024 UCI Bolero Gravel World Championships in Flanders, we are thrilled to bring top-level international cycling to the Netherlands. Golazo will also organize the 2026 UEC Cyclo-cross European Championships in Zeddam.”
CEO Royal Dutch Cycling Federation (KNWU), Maurice Leeser:
“It’s fantastic that the Netherlands will host the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships. At KNWU, we strongly believe in the growth of gravel as a fully-fledged discipline within cycling. With the knowledge, infrastructure, and commitment of South Limburg, we can deliver a top-level World Championship that our riders — and the public — can be proud of.”
Head of Marketing & Policy at Bolero, Thomas van Berchem:
“After the European Gravel Championships in 2023 and the Gravel World Championships in Leuven in 2024, we at Bolero are excited to once again be the main sponsor of the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships, taking place in the heart of Europe. We feel deeply connected to gravel: it’s a fast-growing sport accessible to both amateurs and professionals, just like Bolero, a fast-growing brand that makes investing accessible to both novice and experienced investors. We look forward to a weekend full of international top-level sport, inspiration, and community.”