Vasaloppet launches two new races in 2026: Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel and Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth

Interest in gravel cycling, where you use a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike, has grown steadily in recent years.
“Vasaloppet is tradition and history, and we are now in our 18th year of mountain biking with Cykelvasan. At the same time, we are looking ahead and broadening our events by opening up to new cycling culture with both a gravel race and a fast-paced short track race; an XCC competition for youth and junior cyclists. Both races will premiere at Vasaloppet Bike Festival in Lindvallen,” says Daniel Mäkinen, Events Director at Vasaloppet.

Prolific cyclist Calle Friberg, former national team rider and multiple Swedish mountain bike champion, has been involved in developing the new races and will act as race director for Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth. The abbreviation XCC stands for cross-country short track, and it’s a shorter version of the cross-country Olympic (XCO) mountain bike format.
“Vasaloppet is absolutely right to expand its offering with more types of races. Cykelvasan is the Nordic region’s biggest mountain bike race and a true classic, but development is also exciting and in this case visitors will be able to participate in several races during the same time period, which we believe will be very appealing,” says Calle Friberg.

Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel 2026 – new recreational gravel race
Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel 2026 takes place on the Wednesday before the Cykelvasan weekend. It is an accessible and enjoyable recreational race over 45 kilometres, starting and finishing in Lindvallen, Sälen. Everyone aged 12 and above can take part.
“Many have asked for a dedicated gravel race, so it feels great to be able to offer one this year, making cycling accessible to more people. If everything goes well, the goal is to include a gravel race in the regular programme for Vasaloppet Bike Festival and Cykelvasan in 2027,” says Daniel Mäkinen.

Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth – fast-paced short track race for young cyclists
The second new addition to this year’s festival programme is Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth. A short track race on an easy-to-ride course of around 2 kilometres that encourages overtaking, tactics and close duels. Perfect for young cyclists who want to experience the thrill of racing – and for spectators who can enjoy exciting competitions up close.

There will be four different competition classes for girls/women and boys/men: 11–12 years, 13–14 years, 15–16 years and Junior 17–18 years.
“We want to create a fun and fast-paced youth event as part of the permanent Vasaloppet Bike Festival programme. The course is short and easy to ride, while still requiring some tactical thinking. And with plenty of overtaking opportunities, it will be exciting for spectators too. For anyone aiming to ride Ungdomscykelvasan on Friday or compete as a junior in Cykelvasan 90 on Saturday, this could be the perfect warm-up,” says Calle Friberg.

FACTS/ Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel
Start: Wednesday, August 5, 09:00, at the Vasaloppet Bike Expo, Lindvallen, Sälen
Distance: 45 kilometres
Service: Drinks checkpoint after approximately 20 kilometres
Registration and number bib: Via vasaloppet.se. Number bibs collected at the race office in Lindvallen before the start
Equipment: Approved cycling helmet is mandatory. Gravel or mountain bike recommended.
Finish: At the trade fair area in Lindvallen, Sälen.
Registration fee: 395 SEK

Read more and register for Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel here >

FACTS/ Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth 
Start and finish: Thursday, August 6, 09:30 at the Vasaloppet Bike Expo, Lindvallen, Sälen
Distance: Approximately a 2 km short loop course. Race time is around 10–20 minutes per class
Classes:
Girls/Boys 11–12 years
Girls/Boys 13–14 years
Girls/Boys 15–16 years
Women/Men Junior 17–18 years
Course practice: The course will be marked and ready from Wednesday, August 5, at 15:00. All participants are encouraged to test the course before the race
Registration and number bib: Via vasaloppet.se. Number bibs collected at the race office in Lindvallen before the start
Equipment: Approved cycling helmet is mandatory. Mountain bike recommended.
Prize ceremony: Winners will be crowned in all competition classes. The prize ceremony takes place immediately after the race
Registration fee: 305 SEK

Read more and register for Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth here >

Vasaloppet Bike Festival 2026
Vasaloppet Bike Festival takes place on August 3–9 with an extensive activity programme from August 5–7 and the Nordic region’s biggest mountain bike race, Cykelvasan, on August 7–8. At the Vasaloppet Bike Expo there will be exhibitors where you can test and discover the latest cycling products on the market, improve your cycling through inspiring clinics ahead of your race, hang out at the pump track and experience thrilling races, shows and entertainment.

Upcoming events:
Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2026 – biking and running

• Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan 30, start Oxberg, 32 km
• Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan Öppet Spår, start Sälen, 95 km
• Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
• Saturday, August 8, Cykelvasan 90, start Sälen, 95 km
• Friday, August 14, Funkisvasan, start Mora, 4 km
• Friday, August 14, Trailvasan 10, start Mora, 10 km
• Saturday, August 15, Ultravasan 90, start Sälen, 92 km
• Saturday, August 15, Vasastafetten, running relay, ten legs, start Sälen, 92 km
• Saturday, August 15, Ultravasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
• Saturday, August 15, Trailvasan 30, start Oxberg, 30 km

Hemmavasan cykel and löpning 2026 – biking and running when and where you want

• August 7–15, Hemmavasan cykel
• August 7–15, Hemmavasan löpning

Barnens Vasalopp cykel 2026 – children’s Vasaloppet bike race

• Thursday, August 6, and Friday, August 7, Barnens Vasalopp cykel in Sälen
• Saturday, August 8, Barnens Vasalopp cykel in Mora

Barnens Vasalopp löpning 2026 – children’s Vasaloppet running race

• Friday, August 14, Barnens Vasalopp löpning in Sälen
• Friday, August 14, Barnens Vasalopp löpning in Mora

Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2027 – cross country skiing

• Friday, February 26, Vasaloppet 30, start Oxberg, 30 km
• Saturday, February 27, Tjejvasan, start Oxberg, 30 km
• Sunday, February 28, Öppet Spår Sunday, start Sälen, 90 km
• Sunday, February 28, Ungdomsvasan, start Eldris, 9 km, start Hökberg, 19 km
• Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 90, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
• Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 45, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
• Monday, March 1, Öppet Spår Monday 30, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
• Tuesday, March 2, Vasaloppet 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
• Friday, March 5, Stafettvasan, ski relay, five sections, start Sälen, 90 km
• Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 30, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
• Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 45, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
• Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 90, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
• Saturday, March 6, Vasaloppet 10, freestyle, start Eldris, 9 km
• Sunday, March 7, The 103rd Vasaloppet, start Sälen, 90 km