Gravel and Tar Classic - Sunday 24th Jan 2027. Entries now open!

For the ninth edition, the Gravel and Tar Classic event will be held over the beautiful roads of the Manawatu region in 2027 as one of the four events in the manawatu cycle clasic Weekend .

An opportunity for Cycling Clubs, Elite Cyclists, and Up and Coming Talent, to participate in the internationally recognised Gravel and Tar 2027.

Riding in the inaugural Gravel & Tar La Femme cycle race in 2019, our first winner, Brodie Chapman commented on the podium, “That was the most fun I’ve had on a bike – ever!”.

And the Gravel & Tar (Men’s Classic and Women’s La Femme) is considered one of the toughest one-day cycling events in the Oceania region.  So how much “fun” can that be?  According to Chapman, apparently, quite a lot.

Comprising approximately 75% sealed and 25% gravel roads, it provides riders with the opportunity to test all their skills against other elite and promising cyclists on a variety of surfaces.

Now in its ninth edition, the 2027 Gravel and Tar, to be run in the beautiful Pohangina region of the Manawatū (between Palmerston North and Feilding), has some exciting changes. If you’re a keen sports cyclist and would like to test yourself and enjoy the “fun” this race presents, here’s what’s on offer in 2027.

Rather than teams, the 2027 edition will cater for elite and under 19 individual cyclists offering an opportunity for aspiring New Zealand cyclists to compete in this prestigious event.  Sunday 24th January will see the Classic start from Ashhurst 10am with the La Femme starting 10:15am. Participants: Open elite and under 19.

Registration details shortly, so start planning your weekend as there’s more than one event!

The Greasy Chain Charitable Trust, organiser's of the event are working with Bike Manawatū, putting together a weekend of cycling, the “Manawatū Cycling Spree” including:

  • The Gravel and Tar Classic - Sunday 24th Jan 2027

  • The Gravel and Tar La Femme - Sunday 24th Jan 2027

  • The Slicks and Stones - Sunday 24th Jan 2027

  • The Joe Allen Classic - Saturday 23rd Jan 2027

For an idea of what the Gravel & Tar Classic looks like,
please see the promo video for the 2021 event below - it’s narrated by the late Steve Stannard founder of the event and is a testament to his vision for a “classic” New Zealand cycling event.

The Joe Allen Classic

Saturday 23rd will see Bike Manawatū hosting the Joe Allen Classic.  In memory of one of the doyens of Manawatū cycling, Joe Allen, the event was first raced in 1949 making it one of the older cycling events in NZ.  It has been won by some of NZ cycling’s household names including Gary Anderson and Sam Morgan. Saturday 23rd January will see racing start 10am. Participants: Graded A to D will compete and it is a handicap event run over approx., 75kms.

 

See the promo video below to get excited about this great
gravel cycling event

 

 
Gravel and Tar 2027