National bike race puts Minnesota’s gravel roads on display
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The 2025 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships will take place in La Crescent in the southeastern corner of Minnesota on Sept. 20. It will mark the first time the series of races on gravel roads will be held in the state.
"Right now, there's over 300 registrants already signed up, and we're on pace to probably exceed about 850 to 1,000 riders in total. Spectator wise, we’re probably looking at about 2,500,” said Jeremiah Burish, who's with Explore La Crosse.
Burish said the athletes and their families and friends could boost the local economy. He said it's also an opportunity for the community to showcase the miles of gravel bike routes in the area, which organizers hope will lead to future tourism.
"Our hope is that we hit our expectations, that we knock this out of the park, [and] showcase the region and the people are going to fall in love with our routes and our area, the hospitality, and really showcase this as the premier bicycling destination, especially for gravel and have a lot of return visitors,” Burish said, adding that 2026 championships will also be held in La Crescent.
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