The Gralloch 2026

It would be hard to deny that The Gralloch is the UK’s premier gravel racing event. The weekend of cycling activity hosts a round of the UCI Gravel series, the new Ultra 360km gravel race and Sportif rides on the Sunday, all staged from a large event village in Gatehouse of Fleet, with the rides using the endless gravel tracks of Dumfries and Galloway. Walking around the event village amongst the entertainment and trade stands you will find world class cyclists at every turn; Bradley Wiggins, Alison Jackson, the Brownlee brothers, Michael Woods, and then dozens of top riders from the domestic racing scene in a stacked field.

Stratford CC was represented by three riders in this year’s UCI Age Group races, all in the 50 to 55 age group; Richie West, Colin Fulford and Tom Heenan. Heenan was there for the 4th year with the sole objective of qualifying for the world championships, a task requiring a finish in the top 25% of starters in his age group. Having missed out by 5 places and just over a minute in 2025 Tom was keen to make up those places at this attempt.

With over 250 riders entered in the age group the start of the 110km race would be crucial so Heenan lined up early and was amongst the first riders on the cold, still, but sunny morning. Racing was fast from the gun, the course beginning with around 25 minutes of climbing. Towards the crest of the first ascent Fulford passed Heenan, both riders intent on holding their chosen power to ensure they could last the course. Still tightly packed going into the first descent decisions on tyre choice, pressure and nerve came into play as the riders were forced to take risks, follow wheels and avoid the numerous sharp rocks that give this course a reputation for punctures.

As the race progressed Heenan repassed Fullford and settled into the state of full concentration required during gravel racing. Every line matters, eating and drinking is essential to maintain form throughout the race, and with an average speed of nearly 17mph required to make the qualification, every wheel followed makes a difference. Each age group sets off separately, with the oldest last, but by the midpoint they are all mixed together. Back markers from the younger groups, faster riders from the older bands and then there are the faster riders who’ve punctured and are now overtaking deperately trying to making up time. Every rider presents an opportunity or a threat and requires a decision on how to deal with them. Speeds on the descents nudging above 35mph in tight packs, with dust clouds making visibility a challenge, just add to the jeppardy.

Into the third hour Heenan had settled into a group of around 10 riders, four of whom were in his age group, and working together the small bunch made solid progress through the remainder of the 1739m of climbing. Fulford was similarly placed in a small group a couple of minutes back. Knowing that the illusive qualifying position would be a very close thing, these riders, who were currently allies, would soon become adversaries. Starting to plot how to beat these other age group riders, Heenan was certain going to the finish with them was not an option, they looked like sprinters and Heenan can’t sprint.

The final climb fragmented the group a little, but the four age group riders stayed together with one other from a younger age group. The last 5km of the race is along a single track road, rolling with a poor tarmac surface so on one of the rollers, Heenan gave a dig and the group was down to 4 with one of his age group dropped. But now there were no inclines left, only the finish in the event village. Racing into the park in Gatehouse of Fleet, Heenan was in 3rd wheel, the sweeping left hand bend into the tented village was taken at speed and the sprint opened up, Heenan taking the second position right under the left arm of the rider who most looked like a sprinter.

There were 56 qualifying positions in the 50 to 55 Male category. Heenan finished 56th, 0.03seconds ahead of Richard Skinner of Reifen Racing Team. The sprint to the line being the difference between achieving his goal or not. Colin Fulford, in his first gravel race, finished 64th in age group, 2 minutes and 5 seconds later, a very creditable ride given how much experience plays a role in this part of our sport. Richie West finished in 213th place, also in his first time at this race. Richie may not have realise it at the time, but unwittingly he played an invaluable team role in Tom's result; if he hadn’t been there to race only the top 55 would have qualified!

The Gralloch is more than a race, the weekend is a super experience in a beautiful part of the world, you don’t need to race to enjoy it, you can watch, do the shakeout rides, the sportif or even the Ultra. But if you do go and race, make sure you race through the finish line, it could make more of a difference than you think.