The PRO Gravel Thread

[Jewbacca]

2 minutes ago, J Wakefield said:

Good ride, he said it was really gnarly and had a jol. Small issue of his chain coming off the front ring 4 times and having to chase back burn some matches.

He is keen for the next ones ahead.

A small carbon chain guide might be a good addition to the rig if that's the case. 15g for some peace of mind......

[Kicks]

Yep..Matt rode awesome..really a different type of racing and hype..Californian style..route and surface rather tough..aparently biggest gravel race in States..

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Think he seems like the kind of guy that could take out the uci gravel series with his mtb skills, monster engine and obvious talent 

a good saffa back up plan if I don’t give it a go

[babse]

 

3 hours ago, J Wakefield said:

Good ride, he said it was really gnarly and had a jol. Small issue of his chain coming off the front ring 4 times and having to chase back burn some matches.

He is keen for the next ones ahead.

Nice one Matt. Interesting discipline and location... Any insights on this!? 

 

Lekker to see Matt up there in any race but really think he deserves to be racing on the marathon stage against cream of the crop week in and week out. 

 

Few UCI stages races just past (Volcat, 4islands etc) with proper points up for grabs. Is he's sponsor not up for it or is this not his plan? 

[J Wakefield]

11 minutes ago, babse said:

 

Nice one Matt. Interesting discipline and location... Any insights on this!? 

 

Lekker to see Matt up there in any race but really think he deserves to be racing on the marathon stage against cream of the crop week in and week out. 

 

Few UCI stages races just past (Volcat, 4islands etc) with proper points up for grabs. Is he's sponsor not up for it or is this not his plan? 

He is not chasing any points. 

[Knersboy]

Was reading the race report on Velonews and was seriously surprised to see Matt second because I didn’t know he was in this scene.

I could be wrong but I reckon the prize money in these races blows the MTB purses out of the water. Atmosphere of the US gravel scene seems really cool too. Moving to the US in October, will have to get a gravel bike…..

[J Wakefield]

36 minutes ago, Knersboy said:

Was reading the race report on Velonews and was seriously surprised to see Matt second because I didn’t know he was in this scene.

I could be wrong but I reckon the prize money in these races blows the MTB purses out of the water. Atmosphere of the US gravel scene seems really cool too. Moving to the US in October, will have to get a gravel bike…..

Matt is into bike racing, if there was a tricycle big enough I believe he would be into racing that also.

Edited May 2, 2022 by J Wakefield

[Hairy]

Finishing times say that it was a sprint finish for 2nd and 3rd places.

[MongooseMan]

44 minutes ago, Hairy said:

Finishing times say that it was a sprint finish for 2nd and 3rd places.

yup: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc_XJDGA1mN/

[Hairy]

9 minutes ago, MongooseMan said:

yup: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc_XJDGA1mN/

The guy who won comes across as a nearly nice person too.

[Titleist]

3 hours ago, Knersboy said:

Was reading the race report on Velonews and was seriously surprised to see Matt second because I didn’t know he was in this scene.

I could be wrong but I reckon the prize money in these races blows the MTB purses out of the water. Atmosphere of the US gravel scene seems really cool too. Moving to the US in October, will have to get a gravel bike…..

First place = $5000 and second $4000

[milky4130]

On 5/1/2022 at 7:38 PM, MongooseMan said:

So Matt quietly headed over to the US, and then dominated the BWR to place 2nd ahead of some stout competition (apparently with no personal support on course).

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc_vBQ1J3vF/

Very cool to see a South African dominating in a major US gravel race, beating out some world tour riders.

Wasn't exactly quiet if he announced it on Social Media.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

7 hours ago, milky4130 said:

Wasn't exactly quiet if he announced it on Social Media.

Why the crux and not diverge I wonder 

 

edit - lighter faster more racey  

Edited May 3, 2022 by Wayne pudding Mol
More info

[mecheng89]

7 hours ago, milky4130 said:

Wasn't exactly quiet if he announced it on Social Media.

Perhaps he's trying to qualify for UCI gravel worlds?

[BuffsVintageBikes]

I'm seriously impressed with his ride, especially in such a stacked field. He's made a lot of people sit up and take note 🤩

[jcza]

Can't help but feel that he should be racing on UCI World Tour.