2024 Pro thread

[Requiem84]

We have no use for a Strade Bianche called a WC gravel race.

Who is 'we' exactly? The US doesn't own gravel. The course the pros rode on Sunday looks a lot like the kind of muddy paths and field margins interspersed with tarmac that I find where I live, it was very relatable for me. Arrow straight unmade roads stretching across the prairie, not so much.

I didnt advocate for only US style gravel, just a bit more difficulty making it more 'specialist work' than something road riders can own with zero practice. I specifically mentioned the Traka course as an example as well.

And fyi, I'm pretty far away from the US. Geographically about 200km from Leuven. I have ridden the 2021 road WC parcours. Gravel looks like fun there too. For people like me.

[Karvalo]

We have no use for a Strade Bianche called a WC gravel race.

Who is 'we' exactly? The US doesn't own gravel. The course the pros rode on Sunday looks a lot like the kind of muddy paths and field margins interspersed with tarmac that I find where I live, it was very relatable for me. Arrow straight unmade roads stretching across the prairie, not so much.

Yeah. Was it as hardcore as it could be? No. Did everyone I know personally who watched it say "that course looks like such a fun day out on a gravel bike"? Yes.

[Mr.Gib]

No course will statisfy all fans. Yes it was a bit of a flat forest "kermesse", but can you imagine if it had been seriously raining over the weekend? Parts of the course would have had some or all of the riders off their bikes. Goodbye road shoes, road pedals, and slick tires. We might be talking about it like Paris Roubaix 2021.

Obviously some sort of circuit is the best format. Don't mind the packed dirt, but it would be nice if that circuit contained at least a descent or two that was rocky and rough enough to demand 40mm tires as a minimum.

And I really feel for the full time gravelers who passed up mutli-million Euro contracts to race gravel in the US because it so much fun, such a casual vibe, pickle juice, coffee out of the back of a 1960's VW van, etc. If only they could start at the front with the tour pros, they would for sure win.

[LouisN]

Gravel is in it's "baby state". Still searching to define it's own self.
Look at Cyclo cross, how it started, how it grew and how it looks now.
UCI is a "ruling machine". There needs to be specific rules to define UCI sanctioned gravel races.

US events (and organisers) generally don't care about UCI rules. I remember USCA events allowing disc brakes bikes long before UCI allowed them.

Louis

[TobinHatesYou]

current crop of gravel pros consists of retired road pros or those who never got into the pro ranks. Those guys will be beaten by the top road riders on every course. No matter the terrain or tire width.
Make the race longer and more physically demanding and the difference will become even more obvious.

Keegan Swenson finished a pretty admirable 5th last year, so he beat most World Tour pros. If you make the race longer, it actually favors people like Keegan who are used to doing 10 hour time trials.

[eins4eins]

I consider Swenson as an exception of the rule. He could probably do well in pro road cycling if he decides to. No need though obviously.


All the complaints in here about the course don't match with the feedback from participants i got. Everyone i talked to really liked the course. Amateurs as well as Pros.
I didn't go because i qualified in age group and didn't think it would be fun, as no "real" racing would be possible. Seeing the pictures, i regret not going. For the atmosphere alone it would have been worth it.
Will try to qualify for Nice in elite next year.

[OJ]

10 hour time trials.

Sounds like a ton of fun, and entertaining.

I don't think you need to have a uniform model for gravel racing, unless the plan is to host the race in the same location every year. The hairpin stuff Something should be done with the TV coverage though as it was quite boring. If the event remains a mass participation style in the future, maybe some coverage on the mass participation portion would be fun. These races tend to be financed by the mass participating losers, so maybe throw them some crumbs too.

[Requiem84]

I think gravel races are a lot of fun at the start. Sadly the tv production treats it as a road race (boring first hours, exciting in 'the finale'.

Another easy win imo. Start broadcasting earlier. Or at least do a recap of the craziness of the first hour.

[BenSiskri]

But if you think MVP or Vos don't have the chops to dominate Unbound, you are dilusional. Class is class. Vos is a multi- WC in MTB, CX, Road, and track. MVP and many WT pros palmares are multi-disciplinary.

The limiting factors for WT pros is schedule and desire.

Vos has done very little in World/Elite level MTB racing; it was a discipline too far for her. The technical side was too much, and unlike CX, you can't just win because you have a bigger engine. It even took MvdP a few years to crack it; being a good CX rider is no guarantee of being good on a MTB. Nys was another who struggled.

[BenSiskri]

Gravel is in it's "baby state". Still searching to define it's own self.
Look at Cyclo cross, how it started, how it grew and how it looks now.

Cyclocross - around for over 100 years, and really only one region takes it seriously. It's a niche part of cycling - but thanks to it's road roots get more coverage than it deserves, especially compared to the more global MTB disciplines.

[EtoDemerzel]

But if you think MVP or Vos don't have the chops to dominate Unbound, you are dilusional. Class is class. Vos is a multi- WC in MTB, CX, Road, and track. MVP and many WT pros palmares are multi-disciplinary.

The limiting factors for WT pros is schedule and desire.

Vos has done very little in World/Elite level MTB racing; it was a discipline too far for her. The technical side was too much, and unlike CX, you can't just win because you have a bigger engine. It even took MvdP a few years to crack it; being a good CX rider is no guarantee of being good on a MTB. Nys was another who struggled.

what are you even talking about

[Karvalo]

But if you think MVP or Vos don't have the chops to dominate Unbound, you are dilusional. Class is class. Vos is a multi- WC in MTB, CX, Road, and track. MVP and many WT pros palmares are multi-disciplinary.

The limiting factors for WT pros is schedule and desire.

Vos has done very little in World/Elite level MTB racing; it was a discipline too far for her. The technical side was too much, and unlike CX, you can't just win because you have a bigger engine. It even took MvdP a few years to crack it; being a good CX rider is no guarantee of being good on a MTB. Nys was another who struggled.

what are you even talking about

What are you talking about? Vos has never been an MTB world champ. Are you thinking of someone else?

[Requiem84]

If 'multi-WC' winner means multiple world cup winner then yeah. She won a few world cups in mountainbiking.

Not sure what the women mtb level was more than a decade ago though.

[Karvalo]

If 'multi-WC' winner means multiple world cup winner then yeah. She won a few world cups in mountainbiking.

When? Are you also thinking of someone else?

[OJ]

If I was a betting man, I would not bet against Vos if she decides to show up at Unbound or any other gravel race, or any Lifetime series event for that matter, even with her lack of MTB results.