Saturday, 29 August 2026
Gravel Stage Race
Four iconic stages. One unforgettable route. The explorr Gravel Stage Race unfolds across 120km of Royal Deeside landscapes on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. With 76km of timed racing, riders must balance power, patience and tactics across climbs, sprints and flowing gravel. This is gravel stage racing, reimagined.
The Overall Hunt
The General Classification decides the overall winner of the race. Riders are ranked by their cumulative net time across all four timed stages. Every second counts. Consistency, smart pacing and strong legs across the full course will determine who stands on the top step.
The Mountain Crown
The Mountain Challenge rewards the strongest climbers in the field. Riders are ranked by their cumulative net time across five designated climbs throughout the stages. From punchy ramps to longer grinders, the fastest riders uphill will battle for the mountain title.
Pure Speed
The Sprint Challenge is built for explosive power. Five designated 250m sprint segments appear across the stages, where riders push all-out to record the fastest time. Cumulative sprint times decide the leaderboard, rewarding riders who can unleash speed when it matters most.
Every Detail Covered
What's included
Your entry is more than a place on the start line, it is the full explorr experience, built around great courses, proper support and a festival atmosphere.
Finisher Medal
Custom explorr finisher medal waiting at the line.
Electronic Timing & Live Results
Chip timing with live results and stage rankings.
Feed Stations
Fuel stops stocked with hydration, nutrition and snacks.
Live Music
Finish into a soundtrack of live festival music.
Festival Atmosphere
Crowds, community and a buzzing Event Village.
Shakeout Rides
Easy social spins to loosen the legs before race day.
Bag Drop
Secure bag storage so your essentials are ready at the finish.
Bike Wash
Clean the dust off after a big day on the gravel.
Fully Signposted Routes
Clearly marked routes across every stage and transition.
On-Course Medical Support
Professional medical teams stationed across the route.
Four Stages. One Epic Route.
Four stages. Four completely different tests. From the roar of Banchory’s start line to the high gravel roads above Royal Deeside, the explorr Gravel Stage Race is built around iconic terrain on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Expect punchy climbs, flowing forest tracks, wind-swept gravel highways and tactical sprint segments. Each stage tells a different story. Together they decide the race.
The race explodes into life from the heart of Banchory. Riders roll out onto closed roads through roaring crowds before the course tilts upwards into the first punchy climb of the mountain classification. From there the stage dives into deep forest, where smooth, fast gravel winds through dark pine corridors. Short, sharp and relentless, this stage sets the tone for the race.
Stage two is a test of rhythm and climbing legs. A rough opening gravel sector quickly gives way to a long, steady ascent into the hills above Deeside. A short plateau hosts the first sprint segment of the race before the road tilts skyward again for a designated climb where valuable seconds can be gained. A fast descent then delivers riders to the finish.
This is the stage that defines the race. Winding deep through Aberdeenshire forests and vast gravel tracks, riders climb more than 1000 metres across a relentless 50km route. Windfarm gravel highways, remote climbs and huge views towards the North Sea set the scene. With three mountain classifications and two sprint segments, this is where the race can be won or lost.
The final stage is fast, furious and built for drama. Dropping towards the River Dee, the route races along beautiful riverside gravel past some of Royal Deeside’s most iconic scenery. One last sprint segment offers the final chance to gain precious seconds before riders charge back into Banchory on closed roads, finishing in front of the Festival Village crowds.
Your start line is waiting.
Four stages. Big landscapes. A race you will talk about long after the finish.
Join the riders taking on the explorr Gravel Stage Race in Royal Deeside.
The Landscape
Gravel Country, Royal Deeside
Set in Banchory on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, Royal Deeside is built for gravel. Vast forests, quiet glens and endless tracks stretch across one of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes. Riders move through pine woodland, open moorland and high gravel roads, with big skies and views that reach all the way to the North Sea.
Event information
Everything you need to know before race day. From classifications and timing to feed zones and safety support, this is where the details come together so you can focus on the ride ahead.
The explorr Gravel Stage Race features three classifications that shape the race from start to finish.
General Classification ranks riders by their cumulative net time across the four timed stages. The rider with the fastest total time wins the race.
Mountain Challenge rewards the strongest climbers. Riders are ranked by their cumulative time across five designated climbs positioned throughout the stages.
Sprint Challenge celebrates explosive speed. Riders compete for the fastest cumulative time across five sprint segments, each a 250 metre section where every second counts.
The full route covers 120km across Royal Deeside and is split into four timed stages. Only these stages are raced. Between stages riders travel along untimed transition sections where there is no racing.
Riders must complete the entire route under their own power. Vehicles or other forms of transport are not permitted at any time during the event.
All results are recorded using electronic chip timing. Your timing chip will be attached securely to the fork of your bike.
Stage 1 begins from the main start line in Banchory, where riders within the same start pen will receive a shared “Gun Time”. This time runs from the start signal until you cross the Stage 1 finish.
Stages 2, 3 and 4 will be recorded using individual chip timing. This measures the time from when you cross the start timing mat until you cross the finish timing mat of each stage.
Live results will be available throughout the day via the official timing app so riders can check their position between stages.
The explorr Gravel Stage Race begins at 10:00 on Saturday 29 August 2026.
Riders will start in age group waves organised by gender and age category. Each wave will be allocated a designated start pen at the start line in Banchory.
Age groups are structured to ensure fair and competitive racing across all categories.
Categories begin with 19–34 years, followed by 35–39 and 40–44. After this, categories continue in five year age bands. Each age group is divided by gender.
Outside of the timed stages you will be riding on open public roads.
Riders must follow the Highway Code at all times during these sections. Racing is strictly prohibited. Any rider found riding irresponsibly or ignoring road regulations will be disqualified from the event.
Multiple feed zones will support riders throughout the course.
Feed Zone 1 is located at 25km after the end of Stage 2.
Feed Zone 2 is located at 56km during Stage 3.
Feed Zone 3 is located at 85km at the mountain top finish of Stage 3.
Each station will provide sports nutrition, energy drink mix, water, bananas and snacks to help riders stay fuelled and hydrated.
Every feed zone also includes a Tech Zone equipped with tools, spares and a workstand to help resolve mechanical issues on the spot. Full details will be shared in the Event Guide ahead of race weekend.
No outside assistance is permitted during the timed stages of the race.
Riders may only receive help from event staff or fellow competitors. Support with nutrition, drinks or mechanical issues from friends, spectators or private support crews is not allowed during these sections.
Cut-off times will be in place for each stage start.
Riders must reach the start of each stage before the designated cut-off time. If a rider arrives after the cut-off they will be asked to withdraw from the race. These limits ensure the safety of all participants and allow marshals and medical teams to operate safely across the course.
Make race day simpler with our bag drop service.
Leave your bag with the event team before the start and collect it when you return to the Event Village. Whether it is a change of clothes, extra gear or post-ride essentials, your bag will be safely waiting for you at the finish.
Your safety is our priority.
Red On Sports delivers events to the highest safety standards and the explorr Gravel Stage Race is no exception. A dedicated Event Control team will monitor rider progress throughout the day and coordinate medical or emergency support whenever required.
Riders can contact the team at any time by phone, text or WhatsApp if assistance is needed.
Podium presentations for the General Classification will take place throughout the afternoon.
Awards for the Sprint and Mountain Classifications will be presented during a medal session at 18:00 in the Event Village.