Published on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 at 10:18:26 AM
Community Update
Seven Gravel Race to Activate Nannup in May
A well‑attended community information meeting was held on Monday 3 February 2026, providing local residents and businesses with an update on the Seven Gravel Race, scheduled for Saturday 16 May 2026, and the UCI Gravel World Championship event planned for October 2026.
Around 40 community members and stakeholders attended the session, which featured a detailed presentation from Rebecca Cotton of Cycling Events. The presentation outlined the event program, expected community impacts, and the planning measures being implemented to support safety, access and clear communication.
Preparing for a Major Community Event
Event organisers acknowledged the scale of the upcoming races and reinforced their commitment to working closely with the community before, during and after each event. Clear communication, early notice of changes, and accessible information were identified as key priorities to help address community concerns and minimise disruption.
The Seven Gravel Race in May will also serve as a trial event for the larger international race in October. Visitor numbers are expected to peak at around 5,000 riders and spectators, with an influx of visitors arriving from Friday 15 May, when rider registrations open.
Activating the Town Centre
For both the SEVEN Gravel Race in May and the UCI Gravel World Championships in October, the main event hub will be located in the heart of town, with the race starting and finishing on Grange Road, adjacent to the Village Green. Grange Road will be temporarily transformed into a pedestrian‑friendly spectator area, creating a safe and vibrant space for the community to gather and cheer on riders.
The new Grange Road car park will be reimagined as “The Square” for both events, featuring:
- A trade and expo area
- Food stalls and an outdoor bar
- Seating and viewing areas for spectators
- A large screen broadcasting the live SBS coverage throughout the day, enabling locals and visitors to follow all the race action from the centre of “The Square”
This shared layout across both major events ensures consistency for residents, businesses, and visitors, while supporting smooth planning, operations and community activation.
Benefits of Hosting the Event in Town
Holding the event within the town centre offers a number of advantages for the Nannup community, including:
- The bike route will not cross the main road, reducing traffic disruption
- Spectators will be concentrated in the town centre, encouraging support for local businesses
- Warren Road will remain accessible for through‑traffic, with vehicles able to pass through town as normal
Road Closures and Essential Access
Temporary road closures will be required to ensure the safety of participants and spectators. The event organisers will soon begin distributing detailed road closure information to residents impacted, including maps and timeframes, which will also be published on the event website.
Residents and businesses with unavoidable essential access needs during road closures are encouraged to register their requirements through the organisers using the Essential Movements Enquiry link Essential-Movements-Enquiry
The organisers have confirmed they are committed to working with the community to accommodate essential movements wherever possible.
Improved Internet and Mobile Connectivity
To support event operations and improve connectivity during the weekend, a range of internet solutions will be implemented, including:
- Public event Wi‑Fi using fibre‑optic connectivity
- Dedicated internet access for the race village command centre, medical teams and media
- Starlink‑supported networks for fixed checkpoints and event village vendors
These measures will support emergency services, event delivery and public access throughout the event period.
Parking Arrangements
Parking will be carefully managed during the event, with the town centre promoted as a pedestrian‑priority area.
Event parking will be available at:
- The Mill
- Nannup District High School
- Limited parking at the Golf Course
On race day, Warren Road will operate as a vehicle access tunnel to designated car parks and will not be available for roadside parking prior to 7.00am.
Staying Informed
For more information follow the Gravel Champs Western Australia
Up‑to‑date information, including road closures, parking maps and community updates, will be available on the Shire website on the Events page.
2026 Seven Gravel Race » Shire of Nannup
UCI Community Engagement Sessions » Shire of Nannup
UCI GRAVEL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS NANNUP » Shire of Nannup
Further updates and information will be shared as planning progresses. Look out for the Latest News on the Shire of Nannup Website.
Back to All News