The rise of gravel riding has come so far that the UCI is now considering a gravel World Championships.
UCI president David Lappartient has said he is open to introducing the new event at some point in the future, saying gravel riding is a discipline that shows 'a real future and has huge potential'.
Talking at a press conference at the Tour Down Under, Lappartient was asked about the likelihood of a gravel championships appearing at some point, and said, 'I really think so. We [have] discussed it and it is something we are working on.
'We are working on this because from within the UCI we believe that in gravel there is a real future and a huge potential.'
It is believed that the idea was first put to him by Giancarlo Brocci, the brainchild of gravel-based vintage cycling event L'Eroica, during a meeting at the UCI headquarters in Switzerland.
Gravel has been the fastest-growing segment of cycling, and has been growing in popularity year on year.
Such is its popularity that Cyclist launched the spin-off Cyclist OffRoad magazine in 2019.
The rise of gravel has also seen WorldTour pros giving up life on the road for life off of it with Laurens Ten Dam, Peter Stetina and Ian Boswell all switching to gravel racing for 2020.
Gravel in bike racing is not uncommon at the highest level. Races like Strade Bianche and Tro Bro Leon are based entirely around the use of these rough roads.
However, this trend seems to be ever-growing and the UCI, particularly Lappartient, do not want to be caught behind the curve.
'Of course, international federations are a bit like big ships, slow to manoeuvre but there is an awareness that we must adapt to today’s reality, and not only adapt but also anticipate what the future of our sport will be.'