3RIDES moved its gravel race away from Aachen and launched a new three-day Winterberg format in 2026: an individual time trial, a stage race, and a UCI Gravel World Series finale. Founded in 2026 in Winterberg. By 3RIDES.
Reputation: A professionally produced first-year stage race with UCI consequences and a strong elite field, but not yet enough history to prove staying power.
2026: Nele Laing won Saturday and Sunday to take the women's overall.
2026: Kevin Kuhn won the men's overall; Jonas Lindberg won the Sunday UCI race.
[03]
The Course
The long 2026 format opened with a 14 km individual gravel time trial, then stacked a 105 km / 2,550 m Saturday and a 129 km / 3,000 m Sunday. Forest roads dominate, with ski-slope descents, repeated watershed crossings, and Kahler Asten exposure.
Signature challenge: Your Sunday fitness is whatever Friday's pacing and Saturday night's recovery leave behind. The course does not need altitude or one monster climb; repeated Sauerland elevation across three days does the damage.
?
MILE
?
MILE
?
MILE
RACER
Racer Reviews
Raced 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg? Be the first to rate it.
RATE 3RIDES GRAVEL WINTERBERG
✓
Review submitted — thank you! It will appear after moderation.
[07]
Training
Race-specific preparation details are included in the demand profile below.
[09]
Race Logistics
Packet Pickup
Verify the next edition's schedule when registration opens.
Parking
The 2026 starter package included guarded bike parking; verify edition-specific vehicle parking.
What is the climate like at 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg?
+
July is normally workable, but the organizer's own course test happened in cold rain and mud. Kahler Asten is exposed enough that wind and rain can change the race without turning every edition into a weather lottery.[2]
How are the logistics for 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg?
+
Winterberg is a real tourism town with lodging and event infrastructure, but a Friday-through-Sunday race means three start windows, three recovery cycles, and at least a four-night trip for most riders. The organizer supplied timing, medical coverage, technical service, guarded bike parking, and bike wash in 2026.[3]
How adventurous is 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg?
+
A gravel time trial followed by two full mass-start stages through the Rothaargebirge makes this a destination weekend. Ski-slope descents, forest highways, highland plateaus, and cumulative standings give it more narrative than another single-loop fondo.[1]
How prestigious is 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg?
+
Sunday's finale was a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier and the 2026 winners included Nele Laing and Jonas Lindberg. The Winterberg format was still brand-new in 2026, so the sanction is real but the event has not earned national-institution status yet.[7]
Should I race 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg?
+
Yes if you want a true gravel stage race and can recover between hard days. Wait for an official next-edition announcement before booking travel or buying a plan.
[11]
Sources & Citations
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.