Gravel is everything. Gravel is everywhere. Gravel is… well, what exactly is it?
What once evoked images of dusty escapes, freedom, adventure and campfire romance has evolved into something far greater – or maybe just everything. Gravel is a lifestyle, it’s racing, it’s about switching off and chasing that endorphin rush. Part road bike, part mountain bike. With a generous serving of wilderness and a sprinkle of Instagram.
Right in the thick of it: the world’s best. Pros who squeeze in gravel races between the Spring Classics, Grand Tours and the Olympics – bringing speed, strategy and big dreams. And of course, riding the latest gear, packed with features, performance and innovation.
Gravel races? They couldn’t be more different. From high-speed circuits on smooth hardpack to brutal rock gardens, mud-fests and epic hike-a-bike stretches. From three hours of full-gas racing to ultra-endurance rides with sleep deprivation thrown in. Gravel isn’t just one thing. Gravel is a dimension of its own.
We wanted to see for ourselves – so we went where gravel meets glamour: the Côte d’Azur. In fact, we visited twice.
You can download the new issue now in our magazine app – free as always! If you don’t have the app yet, you can find it here in the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or in the Play Store (Android Smartphones & Tablets).
In January, we headed to Nice with our sister magazine DOWNTOWN. Armed with croissants, a bike bag on the handlebars and a camera slung over our shoulder, we explored the city by e-gravel bike. Urban savoir vivre on gravel paths – relaxed, indulgent, with a steady endurance pace. Not that you can’t push your heart rate on an e-gravel bike too, but hey – it was still the off-season.
Round two: race mode. Heart rate at 180, adrenaline flushing through our system, dust between our teeth. Our mission? To secretly put the 12 hottest gravel race bikes of the year through the wringer. What’s all talk and what’s real tech? And of course: which is the fastest gravel race bike of 2025?
And who knows – maybe that was already the dress rehearsal for our future Rari Racing Gravel Team? The bike’s ready, our DS Manne is on board, and our sketchy team doctor is lurking around too… Maybe the motto will soon be: croissants, Citroën and Côte d’Azur. But before the tabloids send their top paparazzi after us, let’s not stoke the rumours too much. Not yet – after all, we’re not even halfway through the season.
Speaking of the Rari Racing Team – what’s next? If you’ve ever wanted to test the fastest race bike of 2025, now’s your chance. This August, we’ll team up with test-winning brand BMC for an exclusive event where you can take their race bikes for a spin, chat with the developers, and tear through our home turf alongside our race team – in full original kit, of course. You’ll find all the details in this issue.
As you can see, we don’t just want to tell stories – we want to get you involved, too. Which brings us to our next topic: what drives you? Which brands are you hyped about? Which tech trends excite you – and which ones get on your nerves? Take part in our big reader survey, share your feedback directly with the manufacturers, and help shape the future of our magazine. And while you’re at it, you could win a dream titanium bike from Falkenjagd or a powerful e-road bike from ROSE.
What else? This issue is our love letter to the world of gravel. A snapshot of a scene that’s growing, evolving – and full of contradictions, which only makes it more exciting. Somewhere between hype, passion and the backcountry, we’re asking ourselves: what is really going to last? What truly matters?
Our take? Gravel is exactly what you make of it.
Enjoy exploring, dreaming and riding like mad.
Enjoy the mix of articles that have made it into this issue, and grab yourself some inspiration! Get the latest issue directly on your device if you already have our app. Otherwise, simply install it from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or the Play Store (Android Smartphones & Tablets).
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.
Words: Robin Schmitt Photos: Robin Schmitt, Jan Richter
