As we start filling our 2025 calendar with all the races and events that we are interested in covering, there is one particular weekend we are looking forward to. The Hills is a new gravel event that will take place on March 28th-30th in Veneto, Italy, and aware of the beauty of the area and the values promoted by the organizers, we are sure it will be a blast.
Mattia de Marchi is the mastermind behind The Hills. He has taken part in gravel events worldwide, not as an average participant but as a contestant for the win, regardless of the terrain. Mattia has checked firsthand how, for better or worse, the discipline has become much more professional, and he is the type of rider who gives a lot of importance to the community vibes around the events he attends. For example, At Ranxo Gravel we found him lying on the grass several hours after crossing the finish line chatting with his rivals and mates.
On a related note, The Hills is promoted as more than just a race, but an opportunity to bring together the competitive spirit and the simple joy of riding. It will take place in the area of Valdobbiadene, Collalto and Susegana, with a route that will bring riders along the most iconic views that characterize the region.
You can expect hills, castles, concrete roads, single tracks and paths along the river. The Big Hills Race route consists of 170 km and 2,200 meters of elevation gain. There is also a Small Chill Hills and Groove Hills version that concentrates all the essentials in a more gentle course. Those who want to test their fitness level will be able to do so, but the aim of the organizers is that everyone can capture, at their own pace, the beauty of the Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO Heritage Site.
The epicenter of the weekend will be Le Bandie sports complex, where a village will be set up to accommodate both the participants and their relatives. It is conceived as the perfect location to hang out, eat, have a beer, and enjoy the numerous activities for families and children. The Mosole Group, which owns Le Bandie, has always promoted the area as the venue for international competitions. “Le Bandie was also the start of the 2023 Gravel World Championships, but we believe the location has much more to offer”, said Mattia.
The village will open on Friday 28th at 2 PM, and the main entertainment for the rest of the day will be a criterium around the lake. On Saturday, The Hills will kick off at 9 AM, and the women will have a separate start, 10 minutes after the men.
We already got a taste of the terrain earlier this year at the Enough Cycling Festival. Similar to that event, there will be a space for brands to do some partnership activations and showcase their products. Also worth highlighting, we are guaranteed that there will be a big after-party, and we know that the organizers of The Hills are experts on this matter. A hangover rider will follow the next morning before the first edition of the event draws to a close.
The Hills will be part of the 2025 Gravel Earth Series, which will continue promoting the power of the gravel community to even more places for next year. The registrations open on November 22nd and we encourage you to join us for what is expected to become one of the best organized events in the first part of the year.
