Gravel and Tar

Now in its seventh year, the annual International Gravel and Tar cycle race will be starting and finishing in Ashhurst on Saturday 21st January for the first time. There will be a “rolling, neutral” start from Ashhurst Community Centre at 10AM and the peloton will roll along Pohangina Road for a couple of kilometres before racing starts in earnest. They’ll then do three laps around the Pohangina – Highland Home circuit before heading into the gravel roads of the Watershed, thence back towards Ashhurst. Attached is a map of the circuit.

The Manawatū region is well known for hosting enduring sporting events and the Gravel & Tar event continues this tradition. The Greasy Chain Charitable Trust, who manage the event, today announced the “Now in its seventh year, the New Zealand Cycling Event of the Year” is back again for 2023.

The Gravel and Tar is an international cycling event, sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) where riders and teams not only compete for podium places, but also for UCI points that accumulate to provide them entry to the major international events, such as the Tour de France and many others.

In addition to the competition for UCI points, cyclists vie for the challenge of competing in the Gravel and Tar as it has developed quite a reputation. Where international road cycle racing is traditionally held on sealed roads, the Gravel and Tar, was one of the first professional events to combine sealed and gravel roads in its parcours. The Gravel and Tar even has a Wikipedia page that states, “the race is primarily on sealed roads, however the highlight is the multiple gravel sectors (usually 5 or 6) throughout the course. The race is now considered to be the toughest one-day elite race in the Oceania region. The race is held in January each year, making it one of the first races on the UCI Calendar, and a key chance for teams and riders to gain early UCI points. The event has seen teams enter from countries such as Sweden, Japan, the US, and Australia, along with the best New Zealand men's teams”.

This year we have 14 teams from places such as Germany, Japan, Guam, Australia, plus the NZ National Team and a number of local teams, so it looks like being very exciting.

So, get along to Ashhurst on Saturday 21st Jan before 10AM - see the start - then mosey on down to Pohangina village where you'll be able to catch the riders passing three times. Or perhaps go up into the Watershed roads to see them challenge the gravel! Then back to Wyndham Street, Ashhurst for the exciting finish around 1:30PM.