The PRO Gravel Thread

[Kom]

5 hours ago, Wayne pudding Mol said:

Why the crux and not diverge I wonder

i still ponder this too - i really tell myself that cross and gravel bikes are completely different, then you see Matt almost win a 100mile event on one.

[DNC]

1 hour ago, Kom said:

i still ponder this too - i really tell myself that cross and gravel bikes are completely different, then you see Matt almost win a 100mile event on one.

I believe the new Crux is now a gravel bike...

Quote

Traditionally designed as a cyclocross bike, Specialized has repositioned the 2022 S-Works Crux. It is now marketed as more of a gravel racing bike, with its lightweight carbon frame and generous tyre clearance, ideally suited to off-road endurance events.

 

[Baracuda]

I just love the idea of a waffle race. I think we need one in SA. A gravel race of course.

Edited May 3, 2022 by Baracuda

[Sid the Sloth]

1 hour ago, Baracuda said:

I just love the idea of a waffle race. I think we need one in SA. A gravel race of course.

The gravel calendar seems to be filling up here, unfortunately most of the events don't seem interested in getting CSA licensing which does not matter for most but for those if us who have a racing license it is rather unfortunate. 

[mecheng89]

5 hours ago, jcza said:

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

He was a stagaire for UAE a little bit ago, but I'm uncertain how well it went. @J Wakefield could confirm. 

[mecheng89]

19 minutes ago, Sid the Sloth said:

The gravel calendar seems to be filling up here, unfortunately most of the events don't seem interested in getting CSA licensing which does not matter for most but for those if us who have a racing license it is rather unfortunate. 

Only if you live in the WP. Us GP based riders feel very done in..

[Shebeen]

35 minutes ago, Sid the Sloth said:

The gravel calendar seems to be filling up here, unfortunately most of the events don't seem interested in getting CSA licensing which does not matter for most but for those if us who have a racing license it is rather unfortunate. 

So if you do an unlicenced race as a CSA registered rider you get into trouble?

I know that is the rules, but just repeating it to myself to see if it makes sense. Turns out it doesn't. 

[Sid the Sloth]

Just now, Shebeen said:

So if you do an unlicenced race as a CSA registered rider you get into trouble?

I know that is the rules, but just repeating it to myself to see if it makes sense. Turns out it doesn't. 

Well, you run the risk of getting in trouble, I am not sure exactly how because I am very new here but I am sure someone else can confirm. Personally I would rather stay in CSA's good books as I am dreaming big haha

[Jewbacca]

Just now, Shebeen said:

So if you do an unlicenced race as a CSA registered rider you get into trouble?

I know that is the rules, but just repeating it to myself to see if it makes sense. Turns out it doesn't. 

You get slapped with a fine and/or ban....

I'm not going to start the 'If CSA offered more bla bla bla' but I do kind of see their point and I also see the ridiculousness of it all.

 

[Rowl]

Anyone know where we'll be able to get highlights from the event? Have seen a few youtube jockeys posting videos, but nothing official?

[Ozzie NL]

1 hour ago, Sid the Sloth said:

The gravel calendar seems to be filling up here, unfortunately most of the events don't seem interested in getting CSA licensing which does not matter for most but for those if us who have a racing license it is rather unfortunate. 

Whatever you do keep CSA (and by extension UCI) out of it ... they're main skill is to suck the joy out of anything they touch.

[milky4130]

5 hours ago, Baracuda said:

I just love the idea of a waffle race. I think we need one in SA. A gravel race of course.

We have plenty in the Western Cape, 100 milers and a 224 miler. 

[milky4130]

9 hours ago, jcza said:

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

agree just the luck of the draw, I'm sure if someone nudges a team owner here or there they can get him signed up that's if he still wants it. Just for reference there were 2 WT Riders that Matt beat in this race, Pete Stetina albeit retired from road now to fully focus on Gravel & Alex Howes that currently rides for EFF 

[nathrix]

3 hours ago, Sid the Sloth said:

Well, you run the risk of getting in trouble, I am not sure exactly how because I am very new here but I am sure someone else can confirm. Personally I would rather stay in CSA's good books as I am dreaming big haha

Enter under a different name, problem solved 🤫

[milky4130]

One has to wonder what the result could've been had Beers not dropped his chain so many times.

[Jbr]

29 minutes ago, milky4130 said:

One has to wonder what the result could've been had Beers not dropped his chain so many times.

that poor chain was just trying to get some rest