Garmin Gravel Worlds Announces Pro Category with Donation-Based Prize Pool
Lincoln, Neb. (September 16, 2022) – The Pirate Cycling League, hosts of Garmin Gravel Worlds, have announced the addition of Pro Men and Women Categories for the first time. In addition to the new pro categories, there will be a newly formed $15,000 donation based prize pool that is the first of its kind at a major gravel race.
The top 5 of the pro men’s and pro women’s podiums, and top 3 of the Non-Binary/Gender Expansive, Para-Man, and Para-Woman categories will split a prize pool that will be donated to the Non-Profit (501c3 Organization) of the podium winners’ choosing. $1,500 for first place, aka “The Captain of The Gravel Seas” and World Champions, and the remaining podium spots will be a $500 donation each.
According to Garmin Gravel Worlds Executive Director and event founder, Corey Godfrey, this decision is simply following the philanthropic spirit of the event.
“When Gravel Worlds was created, our team wanted this event to be about community above all else,” Godfrey said. “Gravel Worlds had no entry fees until 2015, and we promised our Gravel Family we would be leaders in giving back when we started charging registration fees. This donation-based prize pool simply follows that spirit.”
According to Garmin Gravel Worlds Director of Operations and Marketing, Jason Strohbehn, this move celebrates the growth of gravel while still celebrating the original spirit of their event.
“Gravel Worlds has always been about celebrating first to last place,” Strohbehn said. “We love celebrating the peak of human performance and are excited to be creating a dedicated pro category to celebrate the best athletes on dirt.
“We also are ultimately supported by the 99% of riders who never will or likely never will want to be at the top of a podium and are there to better themselves and be in community. This donation-based prize pool allows our incredible pros to ride for themselves and for the 99%.”
Riders registering for the Pro Men, Pro Women, Non-Binary/Gender Expansive, Para Man, and Para Woman categories will be asked what non-profit they will be supporting when the register.
Registration for Garmin Gravel Worlds 2023 will open Friday October 7th at 9am Central Time.
Garmin Gravel Worlds 2023 will be held August 25-26, 2023.