Thousands of cyclists and spectators have poured into Nannup, a small town in southern Western Australia, for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships. It is the first time the community has taken on an event of this scale, and the numbers involved far outstrip its normal size. Locals have transformed venues and roads to greet a global audience that includes riders from dozens of countries. Competitors face a long gravel course threaded through forest and farmland, stretching far beyond the town's usual boundaries. Cafes and caravan parks have reported one of their busiest stretches in recent memory. Local officials, police and volunteers have been managing traffic and safety along the race route all week. For a place better known for timber and slower tourist seasons, the championship marks a rare turn in the international spotlight. Organizers will now look at the crowds and logistics to judge whether Nannup can bid for more major events.