Nicole Frain is riding high after a sensational year on the bike, having taken out the overall ranking of the UCI Gravel World Series.
With two wins and four second places across the series, the 33-year-old Tasmanian has made her mark as one of the top gravel riders in the world.
After jumping between gravel and road events last year, this season she focused fully on the off-road discipline after signing with Ridley Racing Team. It’s a move that has brought success.
Frain’s top results this year include:
🥇Sea Otter Europe
🥇Bolero Gravel Series Houffalise
🥈66 Degrees South Gravel
🥈 Monsterrando Gravel
🥈Gravel Grit and Grind
🥈Monaco Gravel Race
“This year, I have been really happy in gravel and within my team and teammates. I think it took me some time to find my confidence back again in cycling, but I have really found that in the gravel environment,” said Frain, who won the road race national championship in 2022.
“I love the style of racing; hard, tough racing suits me and the technical aspect. The more technical, rough courses suit me quite well and with some climbs. But I also love the community in gravel. It’s growing rapidly and that’s quite cool to be a part of.”
Frain will hope to carry her form into the UCI Gravel World Championships in the Netherlands this Saturday, where she will line up for the ARA Australian Cycling Team.
“I feel excited, maybe nervous. I think I can feel confident in my ability, but I know you always need some luck in gravel too,” the Hobart Wheelers Dirt Devils member said.
Frain was left asking herself ‘what if?’ after finishing 33rd at last year’s world championships in Belgium.
She had done almost everything right, positioning herself at the front of the race throughout. But with 25 kilometres to go, her race slipped away after struggling with stomach pain.
While she was left wanting more, she says she took many positives from that race, too.
“I actually had a good Worlds last year until some late race issues, so I hope to replicate that,” she said.
“I think positioning, but that’s always important. Last year I also didn’t hesitate when the move went and I hope to repeat that and to put myself into the front of the race. I had stomach issues late in the race that led to a less-than-ideal result, so hopefully, no repeats of that.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s 131-kilometre race in South Limburg, Frain expects fast and technical racing, where again positioning will be key.
“It’s a fast course, with a lot of corners, and when I did it, quite sandy. So, there is certainly a technical element to it. I think groups can stay together a while, but it’s also the Netherlands, so we can see what the wind can do also,” she said.
“The climbs are all not too long but punchy, so I expect to see it strung out and the elastic to snap out the back. If a strong group isn’t already away it will go on the final climb with 15km to go. But it’s possible to come back depending how it’s ridden. It’s certainly a small group to the line if not a solo rider.”
Frain will be joined by reigning national champion Tiffany Cromwell, who finished eighth overall in the UCI Gravel World Series. Cassia Boglio had also entered but has decided not to race.
In the elite men’s race on Sunday, former gravel national champion Connor Sens will line up beside Tom Chester and Declan Irvine in the green and gold.
See the full start list here.
ARA Australian Cycling Team − 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships
Elite Men
- Tom Chester (Canberra Cycling Club)
- Declan Irvine (Newcastle Cycling Club)
- Connor Sens (Bendigo & District Cycling Club)
Elite Women
Cassia Boglio (Swan Drafting Cycle Club Inc- Tiffany Cromwell (Norwood Cycling Club)
- Nicole Frain (Hobart Wheelers Dirt Devils)
How to watch
The 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships will be live on Stan Sport.