More than 1,000 cyclists are expected to descend on Gatehouse of Fleet for a showpiece off-road event on May 20.
The Gralloch will see competitors speeding 113kms (70 miles) on a testing gravel trail route through Galloway Forest Park.
The biking spectacular is part of the TREK UCI Gravel World Series and represents a major coup for both Gatehouse and Galloway.
Gralloch co-founders Malcolm Smith, and Maximilian Wussler from race organisers RED:ON were joined at the town’s Murray Arms Hotel this week by councillors Ian Blake and Jackie McCamon for a pre-event briefing.
Mr Smith said: “The UK’s first UCI gravel race is set to be a monumental day for Gatehouse of Fleet.
“Working closely alongside the community on this project has been an immense pleasure. We look forward to rewarding everyone with thrilling racing next month.
“Seeing the diverse groups of riders entering, from cycling superstars and age group racers to Olympians and those tackling their first gravel race, the event shows the incredible growth of gravel.”
Communities committee chairman, Councillor Blake said: “This is one of the most exciting new event developments in the region for many years.
“I am looking forward to seeing the thicket of more than 1,000 bicycles in Gatehouse Main Street, which is sure to be a fantastic and slightly surreal sight.
“Dumfries and Galloway is at the forefront of promoting gravel cycling, and to host the UK’s only World Cup event this year in this form of cycling is a superb accolade for our region and the council’s events strategy.”
The council will launch its Summer of Cycling initiative alongside the event with an emphasis on supporting grassroots cycling across the region as well as international competitions.
The Gralloch field includes professional and amateur cyclists from all over Scotland, the wider UK and abroad with many expected to bring friends, family and support entourages – providing a huge economic boost to Gatehouse and the region.
Councillor McCamon, communities committee vice-convenor, said: “Gatehouse of Fleet, through the RED:ON Group’s investment in hosting major events here, has the very real potential to become renowned as one of the stand out destinations for gravel cycling.
“The council is serious about promoting cycling and I’m looking forward to seeing the programme for the Summer of Cycling when it is launched in May.”
Mr Wussler added: “It’s a huge honour to host such a large event in Gatehouse and we are grateful to the community for putting their trust in us.
“Building an event alongside its host community is important to us and we’re thankful for the immense support of Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Gatehouse Community Council, our various regional partners and the local groups and organisations building a lasting legacy of cycling in Galloway, including Wheels of Fleet, the Galloway Hillbillies and Galloway Cycling Holidays.”
Full event details and more information are available at www.grallochgravel.com
