Klassmark Launches The Traka World Series for 2027 Gravel Racing
A new seven-race global framework features consistent prize money and live streaming coverage.
1Transition to Global Series
Klassmark is rebranding its four-year-old Gravel Earth Series into The Traka World Series for the 2027 season. This new structure consolidates seven international events under a single unified brand identity. Organizers aim to provide a more cohesive framework for elite gravel competition while maintaining the unique character of each individual race.
2Calendar and Event Locations
The 2027 season kicks off in Catalonia with the Santa Vall stage race on February 6-7. Subsequent events include the Gravel Desert race in Monegros and The Traka Girona in May. The series then expands internationally, visiting Iowa’s CORE4 in August, Belgium’s The River in September, and concluding with Spain's Last Dance.
3Prize Money and Structure
The series offers a total prize purse of €84,000 across all events and final standings. Each individual race features €8,000 in prize money, while the overall series awards €20,000 to the top ten riders. At the CORE4 event, sponsor River Products Company will double the local purse to €16,000 for the participants.
4Open Format Competition
Unlike series restricted to invited riders, The Traka World Series maintains an open format for all participants. The prize money is split evenly between professional women and men. This inclusive approach ensures that both elite athletes and amateur riders can compete within the same framework, fostering a broader international gravel community.
5CORE4 Venue Expansion
The Iowa-based CORE4 race is moving to a new venue in downtown Solon to accommodate more athletes. This shift marks an expanded collaboration with the By The Traka family while retaining local ownership. Race director Alex Buhmeyer noted that the partnership provides essential marketing support and facilitates the pursuit of live streaming.
6Live Streaming Commitments
Organizers have promised live coverage for all seven events in the 2027 series. This follows previous limited streaming efforts on the Gravel Earth Series YouTube channel, which only covered select races. The move aims to increase visibility for the sport and provide consistent broadcast quality for fans following the global calendar.
7Points and Rankings
The series will utilize a points-based scoring system to determine the overall season rankings, similar to the format used over the last two years. This system is designed to be easy for fans to follow. In 2026, Specialized Off-road teammates Mads Würtz Schmidt and Geerike Schreurs secured the professional titles under this framework.
8Strategic Brand Evolution
The Traka World Series represents the culmination of years of growth and shared experiences in the gravel discipline. By separating the international brand, the event-linking project, and the elite competition framework, Klassmark seeks to professionalize the sport. This evolution builds upon the foundation laid by the previous Gravel Earth Series model.
Original article: Cyclingnews — Klassmark Launches The Traka World Series for 2027 Gravel Racing