{"id":3081,"date":"2026-05-22T08:24:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T06:24:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vasaloppet.se\/en\/?post_type=news&p=3081"},"modified":"2026-05-22T09:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T07:36:15","slug":"vasaloppet-launches-two-new-races-in-2026-vasaloppet-bike-festival-gravel-and-vasaloppet-bike-festival-xcc-youth","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vasaloppet.se\/en\/news\/vasaloppet-launches-two-new-races-in-2026-vasaloppet-bike-festival-gravel-and-vasaloppet-bike-festival-xcc-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Vasaloppet launches two new races in 2026: Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel and Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Interest in gravel cycling, where you use a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike, has grown steadily in recent years.
\u201cVasaloppet 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,\u201d says Daniel M\u00e4kinen, 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.
\u201cVasaloppet is absolutely right to expand its offering with more types of races. Cykelvasan is the Nordic region\u2019s 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,\u201d says Calle Friberg.<\/p>\n\n

Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel 2026 \u2013 new recreational gravel race<\/strong>
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, S\u00e4len. Everyone aged 12 and above can take part.
\u201cMany 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,\u201d says Daniel M\u00e4kinen.

Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth \u2013 fast-paced short track race for young cyclists<\/strong>
The second new addition to this year\u2019s 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 \u2013 and for spectators who can enjoy exciting competitions up close.

There will be four different competition classes for girls\/women and boys\/men: 11\u201312 years, 13\u201314 years, 15\u201316 years and Junior 17\u201318 years.
\u201cWe 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,\u201d says Calle Friberg.<\/p>\n\n

FACTS\/ Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel
Start<\/strong>: Wednesday, August 5, 09:00, at the Vasaloppet Bike Expo, Lindvallen, S\u00e4len
Distance<\/strong>: 45 kilometres
Service<\/strong>: Drinks checkpoint after approximately 20 kilometres
Registration and number bib:\u00a0<\/strong>Via vasaloppet.se. Number bibs collected at the race office in Lindvallen before the start
Equipment<\/strong>: Approved cycling helmet is mandatory. Gravel or mountain bike recommended.
Finish:<\/strong>\u00a0At the trade fair area in Lindvallen, S\u00e4len.
Registration fee:<\/strong>\u00a0395 SEK<\/p>\n\n

Read more and register for Vasaloppet Bike Festival Gravel here ><\/a>

FACTS\/ Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth\u00a0
Start and finish: <\/strong>Thursday, August 6, 09:30 at the Vasaloppet Bike Expo, Lindvallen, S\u00e4len
Distance:<\/strong>\u00a0Approximately a 2 km short loop course. Race time is around 10\u201320 minutes per class
Classes:
<\/strong>Girls\/Boys 11\u201312 years
Girls\/Boys 13\u201314 years
Girls\/Boys 15\u201316 years
Women\/Men Junior 17\u201318 years
Course practice:<\/strong> 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:\u00a0<\/strong>Via vasaloppet.se. Number bibs collected at the race office in Lindvallen before the start
Equipment<\/strong>: Approved cycling helmet is mandatory. Mountain bike recommended.
Prize ceremony:<\/strong> Winners will be crowned in all competition classes. The prize ceremony takes place immediately after the race
Registration fee:<\/strong>\u00a0305 SEK <\/p>\n\n

Read more and register for Vasaloppet Bike Festival XCC Youth here ><\/a><\/p>\n\n

Vasaloppet Bike Festival 2026
<\/strong>Vasaloppet Bike Festival takes place on August 3\u20139 with an extensive activity programme from August 5\u20137 and the Nordic region\u2019s biggest mountain bike race, Cykelvasan, on August 7\u20138. 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.<\/p>\n\n

Upcoming events:<\/strong>
Vasaloppet\u2019s Summer Week 2026\u00a0\u2013 biking and running<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n