In pictures: Gravel racing stars in Galloway

Conditions were hot and dry for the gravel race in south west Scotland

The world's elite gravel bike racers gathered in Galloway at the weekend for the latest edition of The Gralloch.

Riders from 35 different nations descended on Gatehouse of Fleet to tackle the 111km (70 mile) route.

After a gruelling race, the men's elite race was decided by just 0.03 seconds and went to Petr Vakoc.

The women's elite race also saw a close finish with Tessa Neefjes emerging the winner after a four-way sprint.

Both men's and women's races had close finishes this year

The Gralloch describes itself as the United Kingdom's premier gravel cycling event and is the first to be included in the UCI Gravel World Series.

It has attracted some of the world's best riders to south west Scotland since it was first held in 2023.

Alongside the elite competitive races it offered a non-competitive sportive this year for amateur cyclists to try out the course.

It also puts on a wide range of entertainment across the days that it is held.

After 70 miles of racing the men's elite race was decided by a fraction of a second

Women's race winner Neefjes praised the south of Scotland course.

"We had such a lovely day out," she said.

"With this weather and the atmosphere here it is absolutely one of my favourite races.

"So to win this one is so nice."

The Gralloch is part of the UCI calendar of gravel events

Close finishes were the order of the day at this year's race

The south of Scotland provides the ideal test for the world's best gravel racers

Racers from around the world took part in the event

The Gralloch has become a fixture on the gravel racing calendar in a short space of time

The routes across Galloway are a perfect backdrop for the race