The first USA Cycling Gravel National Championships will be held in Gering, Nebraska, on September 9, 2023, and again in 2024, USA Cycling announced Thursday.

The small town is located near the Wyoming-Colorado state line and at the base of Scotts Bluff National Monument. Both elite races will be 131 miles long, with an elevation gain of approximately 6,000 feet and 90% gravel roads.

Riders must have an annual USA Cycling license, and registration begins July 14 at 10:00 MDT. Gravel bikes are not required, but the controversial use of aero bars on the gravel scene is prohibited, along with e-bikes.

The country's best racers will compete for a total of $60,000 in prize money at this gravel national championship.

The race is also a qualifying event for the UCI Gravel World Championships in Venice, Italy, October 7-8; USA Cycling will support a full team for the Gravel World Championships and will send the top three men and women from the Gravel Nationals to Italy.

In addition to the elite/open race, there will be non-binary, single speed, paracycling, and collegiate race categories for both men and women: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 23-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and age categories will be held for 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, and 90+ years of age.

The winner of each age category automatically qualifies for the UCI Gravel World Championships.

Importantly, USA Cycling has stated that the total prize money will be funded entirely by entry fees and sponsorships, and will not come from the budget to support national teams or programs.

"Over the past five years, the explosive growth of gravel has energized USA Cycling. Our involvement over the past 18 months has focused on supporting gravel event organizers, primarily through the sanctioning of events such as the Grasshopper Adventure Series, Rule of Three, and Rasputitsa. We are now proud to join the growing list of gravel events in the United States."

Lauren De Crescenzo, who finished in the top 20 at the first UCI Gravel World Championships, called the National Championships "a big step" toward the creation of an American gravel world champion.

"There are not many things in the history of cycling that we can take credit for as Americans. But the roots of gravel cycling are deeply rooted here, and because of that, I see the USA Cycling Gravel National Championships as a natural progression in the development of the sport," de Crescenzo said.

"The course is equal in distance and prize money and represents what true American gravel racing should be. I want to see Americans win world championships and cement their place on the world stage, and a proper qualifier backed by USA Cycling is a big step toward making that happen.