Gravel And Tar
Gravel and Tar Classic & La Femme
Sunday 24th November 2027 For the ninth year, the event will be held over the beautiful roads of the Manawatu region.
FOR THE NINTH YEAR, THE GRAVEL & TAR CLASSIC & LA FEMME EVENTS
WILL BE HELD OVER THE BEAUTIFUL ROADS OF THE MANAWATU REGION.
An opportunity for Cycling Clubs, Elite Cyclists, and Up and Coming Talent, to participate in the internationally recognised
Gravel and Tar 2027
Riding in the inaugural Gravel & Tar La Femme cycle race in 2019, our first winner, Brodie Chapman commented on the podium, “That was the most fun I’ve had on a bike – ever!”.
And the Gravel & Tar (Men’s Classic and Women’s La Femme) is considered one of the toughest one-day cycling events in the Oceania region. So how much “fun” can that be? According to Chapman, apparently, quite a lot.
Comprising approximately 75% sealed and 25% gravel roads, it provides riders with the opportunity to test all their skills against other elite and promising cyclists on a variety of surfaces.
Now in its ninth year, the 2027 Gravel and Tar, to be run in the beautiful Pohangina region of the Manawatū (between Palmerston North and Feilding), has some exciting changes. If you’re a keen sports cyclist and would like to test yourself and enjoy the “fun” this race presents, here are what’s on offer.
Rather than teams, the 2027 edition will cater for elite and under 19 individual cyclists offering an opportunity for aspiring New Zealand cyclists to compete in this prestigious event. Sunday 24th January will see the Classic start from Ashhurst 10am with the La Femme starting 10:15am. Participants: Open elite and under 19.
Registration details shortly, so start planning your weekend as there’s more than one event!
The Greasy Chain Charitable Trust, organiser’s of the event are working with Bike Manawatū, putting together a weekend of cycling, the “Manawatū Cycling Spree” including:
- The Gravel and Tar Classic – Sunday 24th Jan 2027
- The Gravel and Tar La Femme – Sunday 24th Jan 2027
- The Slicks and Stones – Sunday 24th Jan 2027
- The Joe Allen Classic – Saturday 23rd Jan 2027
For an idea of what the Gravel & Tar Classic looks like,
please see the promo video for the 2021 event below – it’s narrated by the late Steve Stannard founder of the event and is a testament to his vision for a “classic” New Zealand cycling event.
Significant Prize money is on offer for the Individual Women’s and Men’s races plus for the top three teams in each event.
Gravel and Tar Le Femme (Women’s Race)
Gravel and Tar Classic (Men’s Race)
Entry Fees for this year’s race are $70 per rider.
For any enquiries, please contact either:
Mike Simpson 0278363520 / Nick Spark 0274853632
or email gravelandtarclassic@gmail.com
More detail is provided on the Gravel and Tar website www.gravelandtar.com. Should you require more information, or to express an interest in participating but are not sure of details, please email gravelandtarclassic@gmail.co
Plus, there’s more!
The Joe Allen Classic
Saturday 23rd will see Bike Manawatū hosting the Joe Allen Classic. In memory of one of the doyens of Manawatū cycling, Joe Allen, the event was first raced in 1949 making it one of the older cycling events in NZ. It has been won by some of NZ cycling’s household names including Gary Anderson and Sam Morgan. Saturday 23rd January will see racing start 10am. Participants: Graded A to D will compete and it is a handicap event run over approx., 75kms.
AND THE WOMEN ARE BACK IN 2027 IN THE EXCITING LA FEMME!
As proud supporters of women’s cycling, we feel that it’s imperative to provide an opportunity for our local and national women cyclists to participate in an international event to provide experience at this level, something they will be unable to get unless they go overseas.
As the only international standard race of its type in the country, we have the distinction of being one of the first cycling events in the world, the Gravel and Tar La Femme, to pay equal prize money with the men riding the Classic. The Greasy Chain Trust has been recognised by Cycling New Zealand for our work in this area receiving the Shona Smith Award for our contribution to women’s cycling.
So, make sure to be in Ashhurst on Sunday 24th January or pick a great vantage spot around the beautiful Pohangina Valley to watch this exciting international event.
More information can be found here
or emailing:
We are indebted to our two local Councils – Palmerston North City and Manawatu District who have supported the UCI Gravel & Tar since its inception in 2016 and to our many sponsors for enabling such a prestigious event to continue.