Australia's best gravel cyclists will head to Western Australia in August 2027, with Backroads Gravel awarded the 2027 AusCycling National Gravel Championships.
The championships will be contested on Saturday, 7 August, with Australia's leading elite and age-group gravel riders travelling to Nabawa and the Chapman Valley to compete for national honours on the region's spectacular network of gravel roads.
After two years at Ponderosa Pines in South Australia, the event will bring national-level cycling competition to WA's Mid West for the first time, showcasing the region's landscapes, communities, tourism experiences and distinctive gravel riding to a national audience.
Backroads Gravel began in 2022 and has grown rapidly into one of Western Australia's leading gravel events.
AusCycling Executive General Manager – Major Events, Steve Peterson, said, "Awarding the 2027 AusCycling Gravel National Championships to Backroads Gravel is an exciting step forward for the discipline and reflects both the quality of the event and the strength of the cycling community in Western Australia.
"Backroads Gravel has established a strong reputation for delivering outstanding participant experiences in a uniquely Australian setting, and we are confident the team will provide a fitting stage for our national champions to be crowned.
"The Championships also present a significant opportunity to further grow gravel cycling across Australia, showcase the Mid West region to riders and visitors from around the country, and strengthen the pathway opportunities that gravel provides for athletes transitioning from road, mountain bike and other endurance disciplines."
Backroads Gravel Event Director Dave Budge said securing the National Championships represented recognition not only of the event's growth, but of the quality of the Mid West as a destination capable of hosting major sporting events.
"Five years ago, we were simply trying to establish a great gravel event in the Mid West. Now we're preparing to welcome Australia's best gravel cyclists to Nabawa to race for a national championship. That's a pretty exciting progression.
"This is a huge vote of confidence in Backroads Gravel, but also in the Chapman Valley and the Midwest as a cycling destination.
"The growth of the event has been extraordinary, and that comes down to the hard work of our Local Organising Committee, volunteers, partners, sponsors and the local community.
"We're incredibly proud of what Backroads has become, and now we get the opportunity to showcase it to the rest of Australia."
A course worthy of a national championship
The 2027 championships will provide Australia's leading gravel riders with the opportunity to race across the distinctive Midwest landscape, with a course designed to challenge the country's best while showcasing the fast, flowing and undulating gravel roads for which the Chapman Valley has become renowned.
Backroads Gravel Course Director Roger Swan said, "The Chapman Valley has everything you want for gravel racing – big open roads, rolling terrain, fast sections, challenging climbs and some pretty spectacular scenery.
"It's going to be tough racing, and we expect the national champions will have to earn their jerseys."
A national event with a regional impact
Mr Budge said the opportunity extended well beyond the racing itself.
"We want people to come to the Midwest, race hard, have a great time and leave talking about how good this place is.
"If we can send a few hundred interstate riders home as unofficial tourism ambassadors for the Mid West, we'll consider that a pretty good result."
Western Australian Premier and Tourism, Trade and Investment Minister Roger Cook said, "Securing the 2027 AusCycling Gravel National Championships is a fantastic result for the state, and in particular the Mid West, as it further strengthens Western Australia's reputation as a leading cycling and events destination.
"The championships will attract competitors and supporters from across the country, generating valuable visitor expenditure while showcasing the spectacular landscapes and tourism experiences on offer throughout the region.
"Mass participation sporting events like this form an important part of the WA Government's economic diversification agenda, helping to grow tourism, support local jobs and businesses, and deliver lasting benefits to regional communities while encouraging visitors to explore more of Western Australia."
Backroads Gravel has continued to grow since its inaugural event in 2022, attracting riders and runners from across Australia while developing a strong and loyal local following.
The event has established itself as a celebration of gravel cycling, regional communities and the Mid West, combining competitive racing with a welcoming event village, local food, entertainment and opportunities for visitors to experience the region.
Photos: Daniela Tommasi Photography