Practical info
PROGRAM
Saturday 29 August
- 11h00 – 19h00: Race number collection + gravel expo
Sunday 30 August
- 8h00 – 10h30: Race number collection
- 9h00 – 18h00: Gravel expo
- 12h00: Start 2026 Bolero UEC Gravel European Championships
- 19h30: Official finish closure
RACE NUMBER COLLECTION / START PROCEDURE
After registering online, you will receive a confirmation email. A few days before the event you will receive your official race number by email.
Upon presentation of your race number, you can collect your race pack:
- Saturday 29 August: 11:00 – 19:00
- Sunday 30 August: 08:00 – 10:30
Below you will find an overview of the start times per category.
COURSE
The 2026 Bolero UEC Gravel European Championships will take riders through the magnificent surroundings in and around Houffalize. Along the winding Ourthe river, between green hills and endless forests, lies the stage for the European Gravel Championships. Here, where rolling landscapes and pure nature meet, riders will battle for the European gravel titles. The renewed course remains faithful to its legendary start via the steep Côte de Saint-Roch. This decisive climb immediately sets the tone and returns later in the following lap(s). Along the way, the course winds across beautiful gravel sections and fast forest roads. Approximately 70% of the route is off-road, with the hardest climbs concentrated in the first half of each lap.
The training course will be published here as soon as available. The GPX file of the official race course will be available for download a few days before the event.
Official race distances:
- 138 km
- 3 laps
- ± 2190 elevation gain
- Categories: elite men/women, men 19-59 years en women 19-49 years
- 92 km
- 2 laps
- ± 1460 elevation gain
- Categories: men 60-74 and women 50-64
- 46 km
- 1 lap
- ± 730 elevation gain
- Categories: men 75+ and women 65+
The feed and waste zones are located at the following locations:
Feed & waste zone 1
- Address: Pisserotte, Houffalize
- Google Maps
Feed & waste zone 2
- Address: Rue Saint-Roch 71, 6660 Houffalize
- Google Maps
PARTICIPANTS / RESULTS
The start list of the 2026 Bolero UEC Gravel European Championships will be published here a few days before the event.
PODIUM CEREMONIES
The top 3 riders of each category are requested to proceed to the podium immediately after finishing. A waiting area near the podium is available where riders can prepare for the ceremony. As soon as the full top 3 of a category has finished, the ceremony will take place as quickly as possible.
ACCESSIBILITY & LOCATIONS
Registrations
Centre Sportif Houffalize, Cour-de-l’Abbaye 15, 6660 Houffalize
Start & finish
Place Roi Albert 23, 6660 Houffalize
Changing rooms & showers
Centre Sportif Houffalize, Cour-de-l’Abbaye 15, 6660 Houffalize
Gravel Expo
Place de l’Eglise, 6660 Houffalize
Podium ceremonies
Place Roi Albert 23, 6660 Houffalize
Accreditation centre
Centre Sportif Houffalize, Cour-de-l’Abbaye 15, 6660 Houffalize
Press Room
Centre Sportif Houffalize, Cour-de-l’Abbaye 15, 6660 Houffalize
CP-Ops
Salle de l’ancienne Justice de Paix, Rue du Bois des Moines 9, 6660 Houffalize
PARKING
CAR
An overview of parking areas will be available here a few weeks before the event.
CAMPER
Via campercontact.com you can find all official camper areas in and around Houffalize. Wild camping is not permitted in Belgium. Please check your overnight location in advance.
Attention: The camper area in the centre of Houffalize will be closed during the European Championships.
A free camper area with approximately 60 spaces will be available near the football field of Houffalize.
GRAVEL EXPO
Interested in the latest developments in gravel cycling? Want to explore the newest equipment, technology and accessories? Visit the Gravel Expo of the 2026 Bolero UEC Gravel European Championships. Discover a world of gravel innovation with leading brands. From Saturday 11:00 you can already collect your race number. If you’re there anyway, make sure to visit the nearby expo.
Location Gravel Expo
Place de l’Eglise, 6660 Houffalize
Opening hours Gravel Expo
- Saturday 29 August: 11:00 – 19:00
- Sunday 30 August : 9:00 – 18:00
RESPECT NATURE / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Respect nature and do not leave any waste behind!
It is strictly forbidden to discard waste along the course. Waste must only be disposed of in the official feed & waste zones or handed to your support crew. Discarding bottles or waste outside the official zones will result in immediate disqualification.
PARTICIPANT PACKAGE
In addition to a spectacular course through the Ardennes, participants will receive a comprehensive package:
- Extensive feed stations with sports nutrition, isotonic drinks, water, snacks and fruit
- Timing chip
- Technical assistance at start/finish and feed zones
- Mechanical support on the course
- Medical service on the course and at start/finish
- Accident insurance covering physical injury (no helmet = no insurance)
- Fully marked course and signage
- Complimentary coffee when collecting your race number
- Secured bike parking
- Changing rooms & showers
- Professional bike wash
- A welcoming après-bike lounge atmosphere with food, drinks, DJ and partner stands
- Extensive gravel expo
- Exclusive finisher medal
TICKET TRANSFERS
It is possible to transfer or sell your registration to another rider, but this must be done before Friday 21 August 2026.
It is important that you contact info@golazo.com to ensure the transfer is done correctly and completely.
No transfers will be accepted after 21 August, or on-site during the event.
FAQ
May I participate with a mountain bike?
Participation with a mountain bike is not allowed. To start, your bike must be equipped with a classic drop handlebar.
Can I participate without qualification?
Yes, participating without qualification is certainly possible. However, note that in this case you will be positioned at the back of the start area if more than 100 participants are registered in your category. For categories with more than 100 participants, the start groups are arranged as follows:
- First group: all qualified riders with a valid race license
- Second group: riders without qualification and/or without a valid race license
Who is eligible for qualification?
Only riders with European nationality can qualify through the European races of the UCI Gravel World Series.
A European rider who finishes in the top 25% of a UCI Gravel World Series race outside Europe is not eligible for qualification.
From 30 August 2025, all European races of the UCI Gravel World Series, including Houffa Gravel 2025, will count as official qualification races.
Where can I feed my rider?
As a helper, you may feed a rider at various points along the course, provided this is done on paved, non-descending roads.
Is technical support allowed everywhere?
Minor repairs, such as changing a wheel or tinkering with the bike, are possible anywhere. Completely replacing a bike, however, is not allowed, even in feed zones.
What happens to the clothing left in the start boxes?
All left items are carefully collected and brought to the tent where you can pick up your WK qualification medal. After the race, you can also easily retrieve your clothing there.
What if you have a double nationality?
If you hold a double nationality, you will automatically participate under the nationality with which you are registered in UCI DataRide.
