Course
After starting in Halle, the riders ride through the Forests of Brabant, a unique landscape with old forest cores and open landscapes to then finish in Leuven. The region is therefore a true paradise for those who love unpaved gravel roads, monumental trees and tough climbs along hollow roads that cut deep into the landscape. No wonder this region was recognised as a national park in 2023. To ensure maximum protection of the natural value of this area, the organisers consult closely with the main partners of the Forests of Brabant.
Feed zones accessibility
EXPLORING THE COURSE
- The course will be available on GPX from March
- The week of the World Championships (September 30 to October 4) it is allowed to explore the course in the city park in Leuven between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
- This route is not signposted
- Ride through the heart of the Forests of Brabant National Park in the wake of the 2024 Gravel World Championships.
- The route follows 97% of the race course that riders will ride on 5 & 6 October 2024. For reasons of safety and the applicable accessibility regulations, only a few zones have been modified.
- Get lost for a while among the trees of the Meerdaal forest, climb over cobblestones to then speed up on gravel roads through open fields.
- This route welcomes you to the Forests of Brabant featuring beautiful natural areas. Respect nature and other recreationists. Give way to walkers, runners and horse riders and moderate your speed where necessary. In addition, you pass through beautiful but sensitive nature spots. Leave no traces and take your rubbish home.
- This route was created in cooperation with Agentschap voor Natuur Bos and Golazo.
DISTANCES PER CATEGORY
The women’s and men’s elite will start first at 12 noon. The age groups will leave every few minutes, so everyone will be gone within 20 minutes. The exact programme will be announced in the riders’ guide (early September). All riders will leave at this short notice to minimise inconvenience to the course towns, cities and major roads between Halle and Leuven.
SATURDAY (START BETWEEN 12:00 AND 12:25) | |||
CATEGORY | DISTANCE | LOCAL LOOP(S) LEUVEN | START TIME |
Women Elite | 134km | 1 | 12:00 |
Men Age Group 50 – 54 | 134km | 1 | 12:15 |
Men Age Group 55 – 59 | 134km | 1 | 12:17 |
Men Age Group 60 – 64 | 134km | 1 | 12:19 |
Women Age Group 19-34 | 134km | 1 | 12:20 |
Women Age Group 35 – 39 | 134km | 1 | 12:21 |
Women Age Group 40 – 44 | 134km | 1 | 12:22 |
Women Age Group 45 – 49 | 134km | 1 | 12:23 |
Men Age Group + 65 | 86km | 0 | 12:24 |
Women Age Group + 50 | 86km | 0 | 12:25 |
SUNDAY (START BETWEEN 12:00 AND 12:11) | |||
CATEGORY | DISTANCE | LOCAL LOOP(S) LEUVEN | START TIME |
Men Elite | 181km | 2 | 12:00 |
Men Age Group 19 – 34 | 181km | 2 | 12:05 |
Men Age Group 35 – 39 | 181km | 2 | 12:07 |
Men Age Group 40 – 44 | 181km | 2 | 12:09 |
Men Age Group 45 – 49 | 181km | 2 | 12:11 |