If you picture Thailand in your mind’s eye, you will probably visualise stunning beaches, wall-to-wall sunshine, friendly smiling people and fantastic food. You might not necessarily think of it as a perfect gravel riding (and racing) destination. That’s all going to change later this though with the launch of Dustman - Thailand’s first UCI Gravel World Series event. Read on to find out more details.

“It’s not just a race, but a journey through one of Asia’s most vibrant and picturesque countries.” That’s how the organisers of the Dustman 2025 gravel race describe their event. Bike Zone Events, the organisers, have been putting on gravel races in Thailand since 2022, but this year will be the first time that they have organised an event which is part of the UCI Gravel World Series. 

The Dustman 2025 is part of a weekend of events that the organisers are putting on. On Thursday 30^th October there will be a bike expo and 28 km city ride. Friday 31^st October sees a 30 km shake out gravel ride and then the big day itself, Saturday 1^stNovember will see racers tackle either the 90 km or 130 km UCI gravel race. Conditions are likely to be hot and humid, so organisers have kept the amount of elevation gain down – there is 550m of climbing for the 90 km participants and 840m of climbing for anyone taking on the 130 km event. 

What the parcours lacks in elevation, it makes up in variety! The organisers describe the course as “an exciting gravel race with a bit of everything ranging from a flat fast gravel terrain, some climbs but not too steep, and a bit of rolling hills. Approximately 80% of the race course is on unpaved roads. The race course takes you through the dense rainforest trees. Additionally, the course passes through the farmlands of corn, sugar cane, taro, tapioca, pineapple and across a few streams that will make your ride refreshing.”

For anyone outside of Thailand who is considering signing up, the event organisers have laid on lots of additional services to help smooth your journey:

• Subsidised flight tickets with additional weigh allowance courtesy of event sponsor, Thai Airways
• Round trip transfers between Bangkok and the event village in Dheva Mantra Resort, Kanchanaburi. This also includes a round-trip transfer from the event village to the start/finish location.
• Subsidised pre-event accommodation in Bangkok at the Avani Sukhumvit hotel 
• Subsidised event accommodation during the event at the Dheva Mantra Resort, Kanchanaburi

You can find all the details for the event, including how to sign up and how to receive a discount code for airline tickets via Thai Airways at the official event website.