WHERE BALTIC PINES MEET THE RHYTHM OF GRAVEL
The Gravel Weekend transformed the quiet charm of Tukums into the beating heart of international gravel racing. Nestled in the Courland region, this small Latvian town welcomed riders from across the globe for two days of racing, community, and celebration. More than a race, it was a festival – a place where the love for gravel, nature, and speed came together in perfect harmony.
From the first kilometer, the course revealed why Tukums is considered Latvia’s gravel capital. Endless ribbons of pale, sandy roads cut through rolling fields, thick pine forests, and charming rural villages. The route’s 145 km and 1,300 meters of elevation rewarded those who could combine raw power with technical skill. Wide-open sections demanded strength and strategy, while tighter, more rugged trails tested handling and focus. And just to keep things interesting, the unpredictable Baltic weather made sure no two moments felt the same – sometimes bathed in golden light, sometimes racing under dramatic clouds.
Men’s Race – High Speed, High Drama
The men’s field wasted no time turning the opening kilometers into a full-gas battle. The short prologue set the tone, but the main course quickly became a tactical chess game at high speed. In the end, it came down to a thrilling sprint finish where every second mattered. Piotr Havik (Netherlands, Classified X Rose Team) emerged victorious with a time of 3:52:24, just four seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Joel Roth (BIXS Far_Out Cycling). Denmark’s Tobias Mørch Kongstad (PAS Racing) rounded out the podium, barely a wheel length behind.
Top 5 – Men’s Long Gravel
- Piotr HAVIK – Netherlands – 3:52:24
- Joel ROTH – Switzerland – 3:52:28
- Tobias Mørch KONGSTAD – Denmark – 3:52:29
- Tim WOLLENBERG – Germany – 3:52:44
- Harry TANFIELD – United Kingdom – 3:52:48
Women’s Race – Seconds Make the Story
If the men’s race was tight, the women’s was nothing short of breathtaking. From the start, Sophie Wright (United Kingdom, Ribble Outliers) and Heidi Franz (USA, Cynisca Cycling) matched each other pedal stroke for pedal stroke. Their duel lasted the entire course, with Wright finally crossing the line in 4:46:33, a mere two seconds ahead of Franz. Sweden’s Hanna Nilsson (Sartoria Ciclistica Squadra Corse) followed closely, sealing third place after another display of consistency and grit.
Top 5 – Women’s Long Gravel
- Sophie WRIGHT – United Kingdom – 4:46:33
- Heidi FRANZ – USA – 4:46:35
- Hanna NILSSON – Sweden – 4:46:41
- Lucy HEMPSTEAD – Canada – 4:47:26
- Danielle SHROSBREE – United Kingdom – 4:47:30
More Than Just a Race
Off the bike, Gravel Weekend was a celebration of everything gravel culture stands for – music, food, local hospitality, and the kind of shared moments that make riders want to come back year after year. The atmosphere was as much about friendship and connection as it was about racing lines and finish times. As the sun dipped behind the pine forests, the festival energy kept going late into the night, proving once again that gravel is as much about the community as it is about the competition.
With another unforgettable chapter written in Latvia’s gravel story, the Gravel Earth Series now heads across the Atlantic. The next stop: Core4 in Iowa, USA – where American gravel will set the stage for the next showdown.
