Red On Sports, the team behind the UCI Gravel World Series event, The Gralloch, has launched a new international gravel event: Merciless Gravel. The inaugural edition will take place from November 6-98, 2025 in the region of Messenia, Greece, with its base in the coastal city of Kalamata.
Merciless Gravel invites riders to take on a 109km gravel challenge, winding through ancient olive groves, remote valleys, historic landmarks such as Ancient Messini and the Arcadian Gate, and finishing beside the Mediterranean Sea.
The event will feature an elite/pro race, masters age group categories, and a non-competitive challenge ride, offering something for varying levels of rider.
Maximilian Wussler, Co-Founder of Red On Sports, said “We’re incredibly excited to take our one-of-a-kind gravel event experience abroad and launch Merciless Gravel in such an extraordinary location.
“Our mission has always been to create unforgettable, rider-focused experiences – and now we have the opportunity to bring that to the global stage. Messenia is a gravel paradise waiting to be discovered, and we can’t wait to share it with our growing community.”
Malcolm Smith, Director of Red On Sports and Race Director of Merciless Gravel, added “The route we’ve created in Messenia is truly phenomenal – gritty, scenic, and completely unique.
“Riders will pass through ancient sites, along wild gravel tracks, and across landscapes that feel untouched by time. The gravel riding potential in this part of Greece is nothing short of world-class, and yet it’s almost completely undiscovered. That’s what makes Merciless Gravel so special – we’re opening the door to something new.”
To help riders make the most of their experience, Red On Sports has partnered with Neilson’s Messini Beach Club to offer exclusive week-long holiday packages designed around the event. From November 2-9, 2025, participants can enjoy beachfront accommodation, guided ride-outs, cultural excursions, locally sourced meals, and full logistical support – including airport transfers from Athens.
The travel package is for riders looking to combine race-day adrenaline with a relaxing Mediterranean getaway – for solo travellers, groups, or those bringing family and friends along for the ride.
The event is being organised in close partnership with regional and local authorities, who are aiming to showcasing the Peloponnese as a leading destination for outdoor sports, tourism, and sustainable development.
Dimitris Ptochos, Regional Governor of the Peloponnese, said “We are proud to welcome Merciless Gravel to the Peloponnese – a destination that offers some of the most stunning and diverse cycling terrain in Europe.
“This international event reflects our strong commitment to outdoor sports, tourism, and sustainable development. We are thrilled to host both Greek and international athletes in what promises to be an unforgettable gravel event experience.
“As part of our strategic efforts through VisitPeloponnese we actively support initiatives that highlight the Peloponnese as a premier destination for authentic, outdoor experiences and we fully support Red On Sports in bringing this bold new event to life in Messenia.”
