Over the past decade, gravel racing has evolved from a niche corner of cycling into one of the fastest-growing disciplines in the sport.

Events that once attracted a few hundred riders now regularly sell out with thousands on the start line. Major professional teams are fielding dedicated gravel riders. Some of the biggest names in road cycling now target gravel races alongside WorldTour events.

But while the bikes may look similar to road bikes, gravel racing places very different demands on the rider.

And that means the training approach needs to change too.

Why Gravel Racing Is Different

Gravel races often look chaotic on paper.

Distances can range anywhere from 100km to 300km, terrain can vary dramatically, and the pacing rarely follows the predictable rhythm of a road race.

Where road racing often settles into structured patterns – breakaway attempts, controlled climbs, organised chasing – gravel racing tends to be more varied and less predictable in nature, but almost always demanding a huge KJ/hour demand. Some of the highest average race powers we have seen have come from our gravel riders.

Riders frequently face:

• Long sections with little or no drafting benefit
• Repeated surges on loose terrain
• Climbs taken at threshold after hours of racing
• Limited opportunities to sit in and recover

As a result, gravel racing often rewards durability and resilience over pure peak performance.

The Importance of Durability

In many gravel races, the decisive moments don’t happen early. They happen four, five or even six hours into the event.

At that point, riders who may have similar power numbers at the start of the race begin to separate.

The difference often comes down to durability — the ability to produce meaningful power deep into accumulated fatigue.

This means that riders targeting gravel events need to develop:

• High aerobic efficiency
• Excellent fuel utilisation
• Resistance to fatigue
• Strong pacing discipline

These traits take time to build and rarely appear through short, high-intensity sessions alone.

Fueling Becomes Critical

Another major difference in gravel racing is nutrition strategy.

Because many gravel events are long and remote, feeding opportunities can be limited compared to road races where team cars or feed zones are frequent.

This means riders need to develop both a robust fueling strategy and a gut that can tolerate high carbohydrate intake for long periods.

In training, this often involves practising race fueling during longer sessions and ensuring the body can consistently absorb the energy required to maintain performance.

Training for Gravel Success

For athletes preparing for gravel racing, training should typically emphasise:

Long aerobic rides

Building the ability to sustain power over extended durations.

Tempo and sub-threshold work

Reflecting the sustained efforts common in gravel events.

Fatigue resistance sessions

Efforts performed after several hours of riding.

Technical confidence

Handling skills on loose surfaces can significantly reduce energy cost.

While intensity still plays a role, the foundation of gravel performance is usually built through consistent endurance work combined with strategic fatigue-based efforts.

Gravel Racing Continues to Grow

The global popularity of gravel racing shows no sign of slowing down.

From North America to Europe and beyond, more riders are discovering the appeal of long, challenging races on mixed terrain. For many cyclists, gravel represents a refreshing alternative to the structure of traditional road racing.

But success in gravel requires more than simply entering a long race and hoping fitness carries you through.

The riders who consistently perform well are those who prepare specifically for the demands of the discipline.

At Ride Revolution, we work with athletes across the UK and internationally preparing for everything from road racing and criteriums to major gravel events. Structured training, intelligent planning and race-specific preparation are what turn strong riders into competitive racers. Each year we help riders of all ages race American and European gravel events and boast National Gravel Champions within our coaching staff. Reach out and contact us today!