Serghei Tvetcov’s Unexpected Detour to Gravel Racing: ‘I’m here for a different reason’

Serghei Tvetcov never planned on becoming a gravel racer. Then again, he never planned on being diagnosed with an incurable disease at the age of 33.

Now, a ‘you never know what the future holds’ mentality is Tvetcov’s sole driver, and it’s leading the former domestic road pro down a new path in cycling: gravel racing.

This year, Tvetcov, who raced for over a decade on several U.S.-based road teams, including Jelly Belly and UnitedHealthcare, joined the Mazda Orange Seal gravel squad. He just wrapped up his biggest block of racing since he was diagnosed with Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in 2022.

After competing at the FoCo Fondo, SBT GRVL, and Gravel Worlds, Tvetcov, a seven-time Romanian road champion, has learned a bit more about where he stacks up in the fast-growing competitive side of the sport.

Unlike many road cyclists who make the sidestep over to gravel, Tvetcov’s transition to off-racing wasn’t just about finding a new sport; it was about finding a new purpose. While the 35-year-old isn’t yet sure of his competitive goals, he feels that gravel is a good platform to spread an important message: even with a serious diagnosis, you can keep moving forward.

“You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” he said. “Those who have this disease or something similar, they can do it. The bike, or any sport, it’s going to help you stay mentally and physically healthy.

“To be competitive, to fight with Keegan Swenson or those top guys, I’m not sure. I had a pretty good career on the road, but if I’m dropped from the best people I don’t need to be screwed up mentally because I’m here for a different reason. I’m here, which means anyone can be here.”

The road that led to gravel

For many years Tvetcov was a well-known face in the North American peloton.

He lit up the domestic scene in 2013 and 2014 racing with Jelly Belly and came in third in the USA Pro Challenge behind WorldTour pros Tejay van Gaarderen and Tom Danielson. Those results landed him a contract with Savio’s Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec team for two seasons, and he raced in the 2015 Giro d’Italia.

After his stint in Europe, Tvetcov returned to Jelly Belly in the U.S. and later raced on United HealthCare and Floyd’s Racing. He settled in the suburbs of Denver and kept racking up good results at major U.S. one-day and stage races, like the Amgen Tour of California and the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.

Yet those races began to struggle to stay afloat late in the 2010’s and consequently so did the riders who raced them.

“Ten years ago, you could race in the U.S. and make a living,” Tvetcov told Velo reporter Andrew Hood last year. “Without those races it’s almost impossible to do.”

Early in the 2020’s, crit racing and gravel seemed to be the only disciplines with prospects. In 2022, when Tvetcov was racing with Wildlife Generation Pro Cycling, he got an offer from the newly-formed (and now defunct) National Cycling League (NCL) to race crits in 2023. He took it.

A month later, he was diagnosed with CML.

Tvetcov was upfront with his new team about the diagnosis, and his doctors said that he could keep training if he tolerated the medications well. Fortunately, he did and said he “gained some good form” that season and raced a handful of crits.

Ultimately it wasn’t Tvetcov’s health that ended his time in the NCL; unfortunately, the league crumbled and left a trail of unpaid and fired riders in its wake.

At that point, there was one type of racing left for Tvetcov to try: gravel.

A priority shift

For road cyclists who transition to gravel one of the most glaring differences is the lack of teams. Tvetcov knew most gravel cyclists were privateers, so early this year he started reaching out to a few for contacts in the industry that might want to sponsor him. None of the calls led anywhere; ironically, it was one of the few gravel teams in the US that eventually picked him up.

One of Tvetcov’s old racing friends, Innokenty Zavlayov, connected him with Jon Harp, who heads up the Mazda Orange Seal gravel team. Harp said Tvetcov’s backstory was compelling enough to give him a shot.

“I read Serghei’s story,” Harp said, “and it was compelling to me. He didn’t let his dreams die. He just kept believing there was a path forward. Inspiring people while he is doing it. He was a good fit for us as a team.”

Tvetcov joined the team early this summer — well into the season — and just completed his first block of racing at the FoCo Fondo, SBT GRVL, and Gravel Worlds. Before this season, he’d done two gravel races — the Belgian Waffle Ride California in 2017 and BWR Utah in 2021. He said that the level has skyrocketed since then.

“Overall I’m very impressed, the US has really grown the endurance scene. Now, everyone, nutrition-wise, training-wise, it’s definitely at another level. Gravel overall it’s just tough. But it’s fun too. And it depends on which group you’re in, of course.”

At Gravel Worlds in late August, Tvetcov found himself with the lead group for over 100 miles of the 150-mile race. When his old friend Zavyalov attacked, he wasn’t able to go. He ultimately finished 17th in a competitive field. But given everything he’s been through lately, he’s not being that hard on himself.

“Of course my mindset, I’m still a bike racer,” he said. “But let’s be honest, with the health issues and everything else, I’m happy just to finish.”

Tvetcov wants to continue to train hard and improve as a gravel cyclist. He plans to race Life Time’s The Rad later in September, and next year hopes to have a full calendar. However, his overall goals have shifted a bit.

Now, Tvetcov isn’t focused exclusively on winning but rather showing others that life doesn’t have to stop after a diagnosis. He hopes to inspire others to stay active, maintain their fitness, and pursue their passions, no matter the obstacles. As he continues to train and race, he remains focused on the bigger picture: using his story to uplift and motivate others, proving that even when the road ahead seems uncertain, there’s always a way forward.

“The message is: people need to keep riding, keep looking after their health. Even if something happens, you can go more aggressively in treatment if you’re already healthy at baseline. I’m not young anymore and with this issue, it’s like, ‘just ride or do something and stay healthy as long as possible because you never know what will happen tomorrow.’”