The PRO Gravel Thread

['Dale]

Moderators

Please merge this thread with the one created earlier on 05 February if deemed suitable. Lekka, link below 

 

[mecheng89]

Peter Sagan to race Unbound Gravel 100 miler. 

[Knersboy]

Is Matt riding Unbound? I see he is not on the list of favourites on Velonews, which offended me. 

[Danger Dassie]

  On 6/2/2022 at 7:14 AM, Knersboy said:

Is Matt riding Unbound? I see he is not on the list of favourites on Velonews, which offended me. 

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Nope, returned to SA for the SA Marathon MTB champs in Karkloof this past weekend.

[Knersboy]

  On 6/2/2022 at 7:25 AM, Danger Dassie said:

Nope, returned to SA for the SA Marathon MTB champs in Karkloof this past weekend.

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Okay thanks, I can stop being offended now

['Dale]

  On 6/2/2022 at 6:55 AM, mecheng89 said:

Peter Sagan to race Unbound Gravel 100 miler. 

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Interesting career arc by the Sagz

Edited June 2, 2022 by 'Dale

[ti guy]

It can never be a true gravel championships if mountain bikes are allowed in the race.

Mountain biking has its own xc and marathon championships; surely, a gravel championships, exclusive to gravel bikes is what CSA should investigate? The same goes for mountain bikes in sanctioned road races: not allowed.

[Jewbacca]

  On 6/6/2022 at 1:58 PM, ti guy said:

It can never be a true gravel championships if mountain bikes are allowed in the race.

Mountain biking has its own xc and marathon championships; surely, a gravel championships, exclusive to gravel bikes is what CSA should investigate? The same goes for mountain bikes in sanctioned road races: not allowed.

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I don't think the field of gravel racers on gravel bikes is consistently big enough for the organisers to be too picky or too caught up in the 'race' aspect while the market finds it's feet and establishes itself.

They need numbers on the start line or there will be nothing for the racers to race.

 

[splat]

  On 6/6/2022 at 1:58 PM, ti guy said:

It can never be a true gravel championships if mountain bikes are allowed in the race.

Mountain biking has its own xc and marathon championships; surely, a gravel championships, exclusive to gravel bikes is what CSA should investigate? The same goes for mountain bikes in sanctioned road races: not allowed.

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Are you talking about this ?

 

Edited June 6, 2022 by splat

[Sid the Sloth]

IMO the "spirit of gravel" is race whatever bike you want, work out what will be fastest for you on the course based off what options you have. Not sure if there are uci rules regarding what a legal and illegal gravel bike are (I am fairly sure they exist knowing the UCI but I have not seen them)

[ti guy]

  On 6/6/2022 at 2:24 PM, splat said:

Are you talking about this ?

 

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[ti guy]

Yes.

[ti guy]

  On 6/6/2022 at 2:22 PM, Jewbacca said:

I don't think the field of gravel racers on gravel bikes is consistently big enough for the organisers to be too picky or too caught up in the 'race' aspect while the market finds it's feet and establishes itself.

They need numbers on the start line or there will be nothing for the racers to race.

 

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That is how mountain biking [and road cycling] started ...

[Jewbacca]

  On 6/6/2022 at 2:53 PM, ti guy said:

That is how mountain biking [and road cycling] started ...

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So then let it settle and see?

They had some stats on how many mtb vs gravel bikes were at various events and I think the MTB numbers are still pretty high. 

There aren't enough full retard gravel bikers 'YET' to start telling willing, paying participants to take a hike, your bike isn't cool enough

[Sid the Sloth]

So, when is someone going to buy my gravel bike to start training for gravel nationals?

[Danger Dassie]

Don't agree. Gravel bikes could start in their own group as per sanctioning or whatever. But to restrict participation is a bit backward methinks, moving away from the entire spirit of cycling.