Bianchi Hévíz Gravel

Road surface and terrain

Race

48 % - paved - low-traffic asphalt and concrete roads, including a stretch of public road that will carry traffic; the course does not run on closed roads.

52 % - unpaved – most of it good-quality gravel road. Very stable even in wet weather, with little mud.
Tour

62 % - paved - low-traffic asphalt and concrete roads, bike paths

37 % - unpaved – most of it loose gravel road. Very stable even in wet weather, with little mud.

The nature of the course

Gravel Race description: In terms of surface, the Hévíz gravel course is fast-flowing and not technically demanding. The biggest challenge comes from several short, steep climbs, where differences in strength show. From a race-dynamics standpoint, this is a course where riding in a pack and drafting can give a big advantage.

Gravel Tour description: The tour guides you along a beautiful route through the Keszthely Hills. Its theme is built around lookout points. Along the full distance we’ve routed the course past 4 lookout points in total, and at each one we strongly recommend stopping, taking in the view, and climbing up to the lookout. 

Because of the elevation gain we recommend it for more experienced riders; beginners are better off on an e-bike. The terrain is varied, with some tougher sections, but only over short stretches. We don’t recommend it for anyone who isn’t confident handling a bike off-road.
The tour’s aid station will be run by the by-now-famous Lesencetomaj community, who will welcome every dear participant with the greatest hospitality.

Feed zones

Race distance

The course’s single aid station will be set up at km 35.8 in Lesenceistvánd, at the start of one of the key climbs. Water, isotonic drink, energy gel, and energy bars will be available at the aid station. Staff will not hand up feeds; everything will be laid out on a row of tables. 
Personal feed: helpers may hand up your own bottle or feed, but only in the area designated for this purpose, in Lesenceistvánd. The exact location of the feed zone is here. Handing up feeds or providing technical assistance anywhere else on the course is forbidden.
Spare parts and wheels may also be placed in this feed zone. Replacing any part is allowed, but swapping bikes during the race is not. Technical assistance is not allowed; each rider may only work on or replace parts themselves.

New for 2026: at both the race and the tour we’ll place a “KLND Tech Kit” at the aid stations, containing a track pump, spare tubes, basic tools, and a first-aid kit.

Finish-line refreshment

At the finish we’ll have a slice of pizza and a soft drink waiting for everyone. Our on-site partner and the restaurants and cafés in the area offer great options for further food and refreshment.

2026 Hévíz Gravel distances

The race starts from the heart of the city, then heads toward the Keszthely Hills, where, after a longer approach section, it enters the 28 km loop. Depending on category, riders complete 1, 2, or 3 laps of this loop, then race back to Hévíz, where the finish is in the middle of the city. In the end this adds up to 74, 102, or 130 km. The course is rideable in all weather conditions and mostly consists of gravel and paved roads, so a fast race is to be expected, although there is also plenty of elevation gain and steep climbs.

Race distances in women’s categories

U19 – 1 lap - 74 km - 888 m (short distance only)

Adult short – 1 lap - 74 km - 888  m  

Adult long – 2 laps - 102 km - 1316 m

Master short – 1 lap - 74 km - 888 m 

Master long – 2 laps - 102 km - 1316 m

Grand Master short – 1 lap - 74 km - 888 m  (short distance only)

Race distances in men’s categories

U19 – 1 lap - 74 km - 888 m (short distance only)

Adult short – 2 laps - 102 km - 1316 m  

Adult long – 3 laps - 130 km - 1744 m

Master short – 2 laps - 102 km - 1316 m 

Master long – 3 laps - 130 km - 1744 m

Grand Master short – 1 lap - 74 km - 888 m  (short distance only)

Grand Master long - 2 laps - 1316 km

Gravel tour:
77.2 km - 1147 m elevation gain

Competition rules

For the gravel race distance, the MKSZ gravel discipline council’s competition rules govern the event.

Awards

The 1st-3rd place finishers in each category will receive a medal and a gift package.

Hungarian Cup overall classification

For the 2026 season we are once again announcing the overall points competition for riders, which includes all three Hungarian Cup races and the National Championship. In the overall classification we score every age group and distance; for 2026 this will happen across the 15 categories formed from the results of the rounds before Hévíz. In races where a given age group does not have 2 distances, only that one distance is scored in the overall classification.
At the end of the series, in Hévíz, we will announce the results and give separate awards to the podium finishers.
The overall scoring is described under point 82 of the rules.

The current overall standings are available here.

Start procedure

Start order (call-up order for the mass start)

1. Adult men
2. Master men
3. Adult women
4. Grand Master men
5. Master women
6. U19 men and women
7. Grand Master women
8. Seniors (National Championship only)
9. Tour participants

The start procedure begins 5 minutes before the start with the call-up of the top 5 finishers in each category based on the series overall classification. The call-up proceeds in the order above; in every category we start with the riders featured in the Hungarian Cup overall classification, followed by all other starters in that category in order of arrival. In the start, the tour entrants close out the field; they set off 1 minute after the main field, without a lead-out.

We start the event with a mass start. With roughly a 3 km lead-out at a slow pace, we take the field to the foot of the first climb, where the lead motorbike sets the race in motion.