Hundreds of cyclists expected in Gatehouse for Raiders Gravel

Hundreds of cyclists will descend on Gatehouse this weekend for the third edition of Raiders Gravel.

The three-day cycling event sees riders from across the world tackle stages through the Galloway Forest Park.

And Saturday’s action will also form the British Gravel Championships – the first time the competition has been held in Scotland.

Among the stars heading to the Stewartry are Canadian cyclist Alison Jackson, who won last year’s Paris–Roubaix Femmes race.

The event village at Garries Park opens tonight, with a social ride starting at 6pm, ahead of the main action getting under way tomorrow.

The first stage begins on Friday at 11am and takes riders up to Clatteringshaws Loch to the finish at Big Water of Fleet viaduct. The day will end with a series of talks.

Saturday’s action, starting at 11.15am, features nearly 1,500m of elevation game and at 100km is the longest stage in Gralloch history, taking riders to Loch Grannoch and Slaughter Hill.

Sunday’s stage starts at 9am and loops around Stroan Loch.