Eighth annual Gravel and Tar Classic returns

Published on 18 January 2024

Cyclists from all over the world will be in and around Palmerston North this weekend, with the annual Gravel and Tar Classic event taking place on Saturday 20 January.

The international elite men’s cycling race, covering a challenging 135km route, is renowned as the Oceania’s toughest single-day road race on the UCI Calendar.

Mayor Grant Smith says Council is proud to support this major event.

“We’re proud to host and help fund the men's Gravel and Tar Classic, as it’s an opportunity for our local riders to take part in an elite and international event without having to go overseas. It’s also a chance for us to showcase our beautiful city to the teams, race officials and supporters of the UCI Gravel and Tar cycling races. We thank the Greasy Chain Charitable Trust for their hard work in organising this awesome annual event.”

The race will start and finish in Ashhurst, and head right around the beautiful Pohangina Valley and the Watershed gravel roads, living up to its hard-earned reputation as one of the toughest events on the Oceanic circuit.

As roads will remain open during the event, traffic management plans will be in place and there will be marshals, lead and tail-end vehicles and signage to minimise any disruptions or hazards along the racing route.

This year’s funding round also included the Women’s Gravel and Tar La Femme, one of the few women’s-only road cycling races in New Zealand and the sole women's UCI event. This event will be taking place this Saturday as well, across more than 100km of gravel and tar.

For more information, please visit gravelandtar.com