{"id":2086946,"date":"2026-08-10T16:58:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T13:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2086946"},"modified":"2026-08-10T16:58:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T13:58:20","slug":"nicole-frain-wins-seventh-race-of-season-at-heathland-gravel-while-fellow-australian-sets-fkt-on-icelandic-divide-gravel-bits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2086946","title":{"rendered":"Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    UCI Gravel World Series: Oceania champion Nicole Frain and Jonas Lindberg celebrate solo wins at Hlinsko gravel\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yCJNrGcwwLKxA7cLNtsTyA-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    UCI Gravel World Series: Simon Pellaud and Natalia Franco solo to wins at high-elevation Bogot\u00e1 Gravel\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vUYTFGANz5D8B7RsLdtsuL-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vUYTFGANz5D8B7RsLdtsuL-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    UCI Gravel World Series: Marjolein van&#8217;t Geloof and Eddy Le Huitouze snare victory at Latvia&#8217;s Gravel Weekend\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start max-sm:flex-col justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani, Jackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-10T16:58:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Daan Soete scores first win of gravel season in men&#8217;s division at European qualifier for Unbound Gravel<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Nicole Frain (Factor Racing-RCC) continued her 2026 success with a victory at Heathland Gravel<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Flanders Classics \/ Heathland Gravel)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Freddy Ovett sets FKT on Icelandic Divide<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 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Heathland Gravel on Sunday. It was the third edition of the Belgian gravel race, which serves as the only European qualifier for Unbound Gravel.<\/p>\n<p>The 160km of dusty trails twisted from Maasmechelen on the west side through Flanders and featured 10 timed sections. Both Frain and Soete used similar tactics to begin with fast times and then settle in for the final segments.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-fa8d4dc2-94d0-11f1-a5ab-519744a27192-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frain won with an accumulated time of 3:40:33, 11:50 faster than Hanne Van Loock (Reverb Cycling) and more than 14 minutes on third-placed Nathalie Bex (Serso Gravel Team).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soete won with a combined time of 3:24:57. Kevin Panhuyzen (Storms Cycling Team-Ridley) finished second by just 26 seconds. Adne Koster (Seka-Reynolds), who has twice finished runner-up, took third 48 seconds off the best time.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The first tick of the clock came after the opening climb in the first 5km, the first segment technical with sandy tracks. Next came across segments 2-4, going back-to-back-to-back for 57.6km, and then a long stretch of sand arrived at section 5 with a climb at the end and marking the half-way point of the race. Sections 7 and 8 also included most of the back-half climbing for a relatively flat final pair of timed sections.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Former mountain bike World Champion set to line up at UCI Gravel Worlds in Nannup, while USPro U23 ITT champion DQ&#8217;d at FoCo Fondo &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Mads W\u00fcrtz Schmidt continues off-road dominance at Ranxo Gravel one week after Unbound 200 plunder, Life Time Grand Prix expands U23 rosters, and more &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Traka 360 winner solos to men\u2019s Unbound Gravel 200 victory as sprints deliver repeat winner first time in five years in women\u2019s race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frain never faltered, setting the top times in all 10 segments. The Oceania Gravel Champion earned her seventh race win of the season, which began with RADL GRVL in January that also gave her the Continental title, and has included four wins in the UCI Gravel World Series in Europe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I went full gas from the start and just see where it sort of ended up. Those first couple of sectors were quite technical, so I thought there&#8217;s a good opportunity,&#8221; Frain told organisers.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty buggered, yeah tired. It&#8217;s a challenging parcours. For me, the conditions were good. I&#8217;m more used to heat and I prefer the heat.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Conditions were mild and dry for all starts, but the thermometer moved to 30\u00b0C for the final hours. Soete said the early moves were fruitful so that when the heat arrived it was manageable.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was a hard day. I think the course is quite technical, a lot of corners. It was good we started in the morning, the weather was hot, the last two hours it was getting very warm,&#8221; he told organisers at the finish for his first gravel win of the year.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Gravel World Series: Oceania champion Nicole Frain and Jonas Lindberg celebrate solo wins at Hlinsko gravel<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I did cry and I did almost quit multiple times&#8217; \u2013 Maddy Nutt rides a rocking saddle to victory at The Rift Gravel 330km as Chase Wark wins Icelandic men&#8217;s race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Profound shakeups, spills, splashes and wild wheel changes at Unbound Gravel 2026 &#8211; Conclusions on what unravelled and what worked<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soete and Panhuyzen grabbed the best times on the first section, then Koster went to work on the middle sections. Soete began to close a gap from seventh place to third place and made up a final deficit on the final 9.5km section.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If you have advantage in the beginning [in the sand], you know the situation for sure. And if you keep up with the others then for the rest of the race, you know you are going to be close on the podium. So that was one of my plans,&#8221; the accomplished cyclo-cross racer said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a special concept with the timed segments. It&#8217;s the first time for me, so a little bit technical in the beginning. Then halfway through the race, we had a little bit advantage, Kevin Panhuyzen and myself. It&#8217;s always unclear how much seconds you have, so you need to keep riding and keeping in the front.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There were a thousand starters on the line in Maasmechelen, with 50 of the riders from the 160km event in the running to secure one of the 50 places up for grabs at the 2027 edition of Unbound Gravel. Half of the slots were awarded based on performance and the other half through an official lottery.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The demand for spots in the world&#8217;s most revered gravel event far outweighs the number of positions available, and while the spot lottery opens on November 1 there are also a number of events in North America where you can secure an early entry to the June 5 event. Crusher in the Tushar was the first in July, but this race was cancelled due to wildfires, so now the options are The Rad Dirt on September 26 and Big Sugar Gravel on October 17.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-freddy-ovett-sets-fkt-on-icelandic-divide\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Freddy Ovett sets FKT on Icelandic Divide<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-53ff4b36-94d5-11f1-9359-758b27badb79\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Freddy Ovett rides to FKT on Icelandic Divide in July 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: COROS)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-53ff4ba4-94d5-11f1-a5bb-cfd9dd8a36ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Australian Freddy Ovett took on the remote territory of Iceland to set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 376.7-kilometre trek across the Nordic island country. He completed Icelandic Divide in 16 hours, 30 minutes, 39 seconds, averaging 24.1 kph with 4,066 metres of elevation accumulated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The record, from north to south, was established by Payson McElveen (Allied Cycle Works-Red Bull) in 2021, becoming the first athlete to complete the ride in under 24 hours, and he did it in 19 hours, 45 minutes. Ovett broke that mark by over three hours, and instead of riding in daylight hours he began at 6 p.m. local time in Akureyri to ride in &#8216;unending dusk&#8217; into Vik.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Doing something more than just racing each season is something I\u2019ve been thinking about for a while now but doing exactly what and how isn\u2019t easy to come up with. Speaking with COROS at the end of last season I mentioned this to them and within months they come up with the idea to attack the Iceland Crossing record. It was a perfect distance and route in terms of management for my first FKT experience and I readily accepted the challenge,&#8221; he said in a press statement.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It means quite a bit to me because as much as I love racing, I love even more the idea of challenging myself on my own terms in my own way and this ride is exactly that. I loved every part of the experience not just the ride itself but the entire team involved and the time we all had together in Iceland.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ovett encountered more than a dozen water crossings, with tricky descents that followed for his very first FKT attempt. He plans to share the effort with a video.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He raced for seven seasons on the road, last with L39ION of Los Angeles in 2021-2022 and then transitioned to gravel in 2023. He has had several top 10s since, including Crushar in the Tushar and The Gralloch, and this year going 13th at RADL GRVL and 12th at Wich One Millau Grands Causses.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-53ff4c08-94d5-11f1-9c0d-4310888127f7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our gravel cycling coverage in 2026. We&#8217;ll be on the ground at the biggest races of the season, bringing you breaking news, expert analysis, in-depth features, and much more. <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/p>\n<p>Racing<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/gif\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF-140-80.gif 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Jackie Tyson<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">North American Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years &#8211; from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. On the bike, she has climbed l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez three times (not fast), and spends time on gravel around horse farms in north Georgia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Former mountain bike World Champion set to line up at UCI Gravel Worlds in Nannup, while USPro U23 ITT champion DQ&#8217;d at FoCo Fondo &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mads W\u00fcrtz Schmidt continues off-road dominance at Ranxo Gravel one week after Unbound 200 plunder, Life Time Grand Prix expands U23 rosters, and more &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Traka 360 winner solos to men\u2019s Unbound Gravel 200 victory as sprints deliver repeat winner first time in five years in women\u2019s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Gravel World Series: Oceania champion Nicole Frain and Jonas Lindberg celebrate solo wins at Hlinsko gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I did cry and I did almost quit multiple times&#8217; \u2013 Maddy Nutt rides a rocking saddle to victory at The Rift Gravel 330km as Chase Wark wins Icelandic men&#8217;s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Profound shakeups, spills, splashes and wild wheel changes at Unbound Gravel 2026 &#8211; Conclusions on what unravelled and what worked<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My ambition is to become a consistent winner&#8217; &#8211; Pavel Bittner takes his talents to Pinarello-Q36.5 for next two seasons<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You never should think you&#8217;re &#8216;there&#8221; \u2013 Demi Vollering at her best and still improving with second Tour de France Femmes victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to Tour de France Femmes podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My heart also sank&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar talks about his relationship with compatriot Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d and that 2020 Tour de France win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Dorian Godon rode the final nine stages of the Tour de France with broken ribs<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My ambition is to become a consistent winner&#8217; &#8211; Pavel Bittner takes his talents to Pinarello-Q36.5 for next two seasons<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Demi Vollering and FDJ the top earners as one team leaves penniless \u2013 Tour de France Femmes prize money wrapped<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We can make the race harder, but do we want to?&#8217; Tour de France Femmes director Marion Rousse backs variety over difficulty for future route design<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">In Antonia Niedermaier, Canyon-SRAM have created the perfect successor to Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You never should think you&#8217;re &#8216;there&#8221; \u2013 Demi Vollering at her best and still improving with second Tour de France Femmes victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;My ambition is to become a consistent winner&#8217; &#8211; Pavel Bittner takes his talents to Pinarello-Q36.5 for next two seasons<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Volta a Portugal: Julius Johansen wins stage 5 time trial for second victory the race<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Parent company of Lapierre and Raleigh initiates insolvency proceedings, putting major brands at risk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start max-sm:flex-col justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani, Jackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-10T16:58:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Daan Soete scores first win of gravel season in men&#8217;s division at European qualifier for Unbound Gravel<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Nicole Frain (Factor Racing-RCC) continued her 2026 success with a victory at Heathland Gravel<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Flanders Classics \/ Heathland Gravel)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Freddy Ovett sets FKT on Icelandic Divide<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-fa8d4dc2-94d0-11f1-a5ab-519744a27192\">Nicole Frain (Factor Racing-RCC) and Daan Soete (Ridley Racing) won on debut at Heathland Gravel on Sunday. It was the third edition of the Belgian gravel race, which serves as the only European qualifier for Unbound Gravel.<\/p>\n<p>The 160km of dusty trails twisted from Maasmechelen on the west side through Flanders and featured 10 timed sections. Both Frain and Soete used similar tactics to begin with fast times and then settle in for the final segments.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-fa8d4dc2-94d0-11f1-a5ab-519744a27192-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frain won with an accumulated time of 3:40:33, 11:50 faster than Hanne Van Loock (Reverb Cycling) and more than 14 minutes on third-placed Nathalie Bex (Serso Gravel Team).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soete won with a combined time of 3:24:57. Kevin Panhuyzen (Storms Cycling Team-Ridley) finished second by just 26 seconds. Adne Koster (Seka-Reynolds), who has twice finished runner-up, took third 48 seconds off the best time.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The first tick of the clock came after the opening climb in the first 5km, the first segment technical with sandy tracks. Next came across segments 2-4, going back-to-back-to-back for 57.6km, and then a long stretch of sand arrived at section 5 with a climb at the end and marking the half-way point of the race. Sections 7 and 8 also included most of the back-half climbing for a relatively flat final pair of timed sections.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Former mountain bike World Champion set to line up at UCI Gravel Worlds in Nannup, while USPro U23 ITT champion DQ&#8217;d at FoCo Fondo &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Mads W\u00fcrtz Schmidt continues off-road dominance at Ranxo Gravel one week after Unbound 200 plunder, Life Time Grand Prix expands U23 rosters, and more &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Traka 360 winner solos to men\u2019s Unbound Gravel 200 victory as sprints deliver repeat winner first time in five years in women\u2019s race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frain never faltered, setting the top times in all 10 segments. The Oceania Gravel Champion earned her seventh race win of the season, which began with RADL GRVL in January that also gave her the Continental title, and has included four wins in the UCI Gravel World Series in Europe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I went full gas from the start and just see where it sort of ended up. Those first couple of sectors were quite technical, so I thought there&#8217;s a good opportunity,&#8221; Frain told organisers.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty buggered, yeah tired. It&#8217;s a challenging parcours. For me, the conditions were good. I&#8217;m more used to heat and I prefer the heat.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Conditions were mild and dry for all starts, but the thermometer moved to 30\u00b0C for the final hours. Soete said the early moves were fruitful so that when the heat arrived it was manageable.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was a hard day. I think the course is quite technical, a lot of corners. It was good we started in the morning, the weather was hot, the last two hours it was getting very warm,&#8221; he told organisers at the finish for his first gravel win of the year.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Gravel World Series: Oceania champion Nicole Frain and Jonas Lindberg celebrate solo wins at Hlinsko gravel<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I did cry and I did almost quit multiple times&#8217; \u2013 Maddy Nutt rides a rocking saddle to victory at The Rift Gravel 330km as Chase Wark wins Icelandic men&#8217;s race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Profound shakeups, spills, splashes and wild wheel changes at Unbound Gravel 2026 &#8211; Conclusions on what unravelled and what worked<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soete and Panhuyzen grabbed the best times on the first section, then Koster went to work on the middle sections. Soete began to close a gap from seventh place to third place and made up a final deficit on the final 9.5km section.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If you have advantage in the beginning [in the sand], you know the situation for sure. And if you keep up with the others then for the rest of the race, you know you are going to be close on the podium. So that was one of my plans,&#8221; the accomplished cyclo-cross racer said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a special concept with the timed segments. It&#8217;s the first time for me, so a little bit technical in the beginning. Then halfway through the race, we had a little bit advantage, Kevin Panhuyzen and myself. It&#8217;s always unclear how much seconds you have, so you need to keep riding and keeping in the front.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There were a thousand starters on the line in Maasmechelen, with 50 of the riders from the 160km event in the running to secure one of the 50 places up for grabs at the 2027 edition of Unbound Gravel. Half of the slots were awarded based on performance and the other half through an official lottery.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The demand for spots in the world&#8217;s most revered gravel event far outweighs the number of positions available, and while the spot lottery opens on November 1 there are also a number of events in North America where you can secure an early entry to the June 5 event. Crusher in the Tushar was the first in July, but this race was cancelled due to wildfires, so now the options are The Rad Dirt on September 26 and Big Sugar Gravel on October 17.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-freddy-ovett-sets-fkt-on-icelandic-divide\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Freddy Ovett sets FKT on Icelandic Divide<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-53ff4b36-94d5-11f1-9359-758b27badb79\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Freddy Ovett rides to FKT on Icelandic Divide in July 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: COROS)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-53ff4ba4-94d5-11f1-a5bb-cfd9dd8a36ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Australian Freddy Ovett took on the remote territory of Iceland to set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 376.7-kilometre trek across the Nordic island country. He completed Icelandic Divide in 16 hours, 30 minutes, 39 seconds, averaging 24.1 kph with 4,066 metres of elevation accumulated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The record, from north to south, was established by Payson McElveen (Allied Cycle Works-Red Bull) in 2021, becoming the first athlete to complete the ride in under 24 hours, and he did it in 19 hours, 45 minutes. Ovett broke that mark by over three hours, and instead of riding in daylight hours he began at 6 p.m. local time in Akureyri to ride in &#8216;unending dusk&#8217; into Vik.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Doing something more than just racing each season is something I\u2019ve been thinking about for a while now but doing exactly what and how isn\u2019t easy to come up with. Speaking with COROS at the end of last season I mentioned this to them and within months they come up with the idea to attack the Iceland Crossing record. It was a perfect distance and route in terms of management for my first FKT experience and I readily accepted the challenge,&#8221; he said in a press statement.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It means quite a bit to me because as much as I love racing, I love even more the idea of challenging myself on my own terms in my own way and this ride is exactly that. I loved every part of the experience not just the ride itself but the entire team involved and the time we all had together in Iceland.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ovett encountered more than a dozen water crossings, with tricky descents that followed for his very first FKT attempt. He plans to share the effort with a video.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He raced for seven seasons on the road, last with L39ION of Los Angeles in 2021-2022 and then transitioned to gravel in 2023. He has had several top 10s since, including Crushar in the Tushar and The Gralloch, and this year going 13th at RADL GRVL and 12th at Wich One Millau Grands Causses.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-53ff4c08-94d5-11f1-9c0d-4310888127f7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our gravel cycling coverage in 2026. We&#8217;ll be on the ground at the biggest races of the season, bringing you breaking news, expert analysis, in-depth features, and much more. <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/p>\n<p>Racing<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/gif\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF-140-80.gif 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Jackie Tyson<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">North American Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years &#8211; from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. On the bike, she has climbed l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez three times (not fast), and spends time on gravel around horse farms in north Georgia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Former mountain bike World Champion set to line up at UCI Gravel Worlds in Nannup, while USPro U23 ITT champion DQ&#8217;d at FoCo Fondo &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mads W\u00fcrtz Schmidt continues off-road dominance at Ranxo Gravel one week after Unbound 200 plunder, Life Time Grand Prix expands U23 rosters, and more &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Traka 360 winner solos to men\u2019s Unbound Gravel 200 victory as sprints deliver repeat winner first time in five years in women\u2019s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Gravel World Series: Oceania champion Nicole Frain and Jonas Lindberg celebrate solo wins at Hlinsko gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I did cry and I did almost quit multiple times&#8217; \u2013 Maddy Nutt rides a rocking saddle to victory at The Rift Gravel 330km as Chase Wark wins Icelandic men&#8217;s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Profound shakeups, spills, splashes and wild wheel changes at Unbound Gravel 2026 &#8211; Conclusions on what unravelled and what worked<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My ambition is to become a consistent winner&#8217; &#8211; Pavel Bittner takes his talents to Pinarello-Q36.5 for next two seasons<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You never should think you&#8217;re &#8216;there&#8221; \u2013 Demi Vollering at her best and still improving with second Tour de France Femmes victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to Tour de France Femmes podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tkoZJeczfkYm67bNx3xmQj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My heart also sank&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar talks about his relationship with compatriot Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d and that 2020 Tour de France win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/55G3pwdba8xpsEUGVEHDcm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Dorian Godon rode the final nine stages of the Tour de France with broken ribs<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My ambition is to become a consistent winner&#8217; &#8211; Pavel Bittner takes his talents to Pinarello-Q36.5 for next two seasons<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZCqBH6DWwkMG5yCAUhedBC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hZidVj7eMmRqjLVSxKW5rC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Demi Vollering and FDJ the top earners as one team leaves penniless \u2013 Tour de France Femmes prize money wrapped<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VSedT282BgEAeFd5bWgv38-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We can make the race harder, but do we want to?&#8217; Tour de France Femmes director Marion Rousse backs variety over difficulty for future route design<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/n79SrW7BWswec7z7KtRp4Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">In Antonia Niedermaier, Canyon-SRAM have created the perfect successor to Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nDyVaKisUHk4n5RxCDmYD9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You never should think you&#8217;re &#8216;there&#8221; \u2013 Demi Vollering at her best and still improving with second Tour de France Femmes victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fM7aQj7cSaNscNYwLVNRDh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;My ambition is to become a consistent winner&#8217; &#8211; Pavel Bittner takes his talents to Pinarello-Q36.5 for next two seasons<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Volta a Portugal: Julius Johansen wins stage 5 time trial for second victory the race<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Parent company of Lapierre and Raleigh initiates insolvency proceedings, putting major brands at risk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Extending it to two weeks would be a great step&#8217; \u2013 France&#8217;s lone Tour de France Femmes success story C\u00e9drine Kerbaol excited for race&#8217;s future expansion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Nicole Frain wins seventh race of season at Heathland Gravel, while fellow Australian sets FKT on Icelandic Divide &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start max-sm:flex-col justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nSimone Giuliani, Jackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-10T16:58:20Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n10 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Daan Soete scores first win of gravel season in men&#8217;s division at European qualifier for Unbound Gravel<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-fa8d4dc2-94d0-11f1-a5ab-519744a27192\">Nicole Frain (Factor Racing-RCC) and Daan Soete (Ridley Racing) won on debut at Heathland Gravel on Sunday. It was the third edition of the Belgian gravel race, which serves as the only European qualifier for Unbound Gravel.<\/p>\n<p>The 160km of dusty trails twisted from Maasmechelen on the west side through Flanders and featured 10 timed sections. Both Frain and Soete used similar tactics to begin with fast times and then settle in for the final segments.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-fa8d4dc2-94d0-11f1-a5ab-519744a27192-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frain won with an accumulated time of 3:40:33, 11:50 faster than Hanne Van Loock (Reverb Cycling) and more than 14 minutes on third-placed Nathalie Bex (Serso Gravel Team).<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soete won with a combined time of 3:24:57. Kevin Panhuyzen (Storms Cycling Team-Ridley) finished second by just 26 seconds. Adne Koster (Seka-Reynolds), who has twice finished runner-up, took third 48 seconds off the best time.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The first tick of the clock came after the opening climb in the first 5km, the first segment technical with sandy tracks. Next came across segments 2-4, going back-to-back-to-back for 57.6km, and then a long stretch of sand arrived at section 5 with a climb at the end and marking the half-way point of the race. Sections 7 and 8 also included most of the back-half climbing for a relatively flat final pair of timed sections.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Former mountain bike World Champion set to line up at UCI Gravel Worlds in Nannup, while USPro U23 ITT champion DQ&#8217;d at FoCo Fondo &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9MBaLAUEZyMXw8YzDdpsVN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Mads W\u00fcrtz Schmidt continues off-road dominance at Ranxo Gravel one week after Unbound 200 plunder, Life Time Grand Prix expands U23 rosters, and more &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZvPF2dHTqYarDjAzNCgZKW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">As it happened: Traka 360 winner solos to men\u2019s Unbound Gravel 200 victory as sprints deliver repeat winner first time in five years in women\u2019s race<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Frain never faltered, setting the top times in all 10 segments. The Oceania Gravel Champion earned her seventh race win of the season, which began with RADL GRVL in January that also gave her the Continental title, and has included four wins in the UCI Gravel World Series in Europe.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I went full gas from the start and just see where it sort of ended up. Those first couple of sectors were quite technical, so I thought there&#8217;s a good opportunity,&#8221; Frain told organisers.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-7exQNuv7bv7FARv6Fis2bn slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty buggered, yeah tired. It&#8217;s a challenging parcours. For me, the conditions were good. I&#8217;m more used to heat and I prefer the heat.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Conditions were mild and dry for all starts, but the thermometer moved to 30\u00b0C for the final hours. Soete said the early moves were fruitful so that when the heat arrived it was manageable.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was a hard day. I think the course is quite technical, a lot of corners. It was good we started in the morning, the weather was hot, the last two hours it was getting very warm,&#8221; he told organisers at the finish for his first gravel win of the year.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aL2QXoTBuphSkq5tGVPvXT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Gravel World Series: Oceania champion Nicole Frain and Jonas Lindberg celebrate solo wins at Hlinsko gravel<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShmtS9NBXUjrsBTcpCaHyQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I did cry and I did almost quit multiple times&#8217; \u2013 Maddy Nutt rides a rocking saddle to victory at The Rift Gravel 330km as Chase Wark wins Icelandic men&#8217;s race<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x9RSFbx4FsQAenqjKksUxF-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Profound shakeups, spills, splashes and wild wheel changes at Unbound Gravel 2026 &#8211; Conclusions on what unravelled and what worked<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Soete and Panhuyzen grabbed the best times on the first section, then Koster went to work on the middle sections. Soete began to close a gap from seventh place to third place and made up a final deficit on the final 9.5km section.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If you have advantage in the beginning [in the sand], you know the situation for sure. And if you keep up with the others then for the rest of the race, you know you are going to be close on the podium. So that was one of my plans,&#8221; the accomplished cyclo-cross racer said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a special concept with the timed segments. It&#8217;s the first time for me, so a little bit technical in the beginning. Then halfway through the race, we had a little bit advantage, Kevin Panhuyzen and myself. It&#8217;s always unclear how much seconds you have, so you need to keep riding and keeping in the front.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There were a thousand starters on the line in Maasmechelen, with 50 of the riders from the 160km event in the running to secure one of the 50 places up for grabs at the 2027 edition of Unbound Gravel. Half of the slots were awarded based on performance and the other half through an official lottery.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The demand for spots in the world&#8217;s most revered gravel event far outweighs the number of positions available, and while the spot lottery opens on November 1 there are also a number of events in North America where you can secure an early entry to the June 5 event. Crusher in the Tushar was the first in July, but this race was cancelled due to wildfires, so now the options are The Rad Dirt on September 26 and Big Sugar Gravel on October 17.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-freddy-ovett-sets-fkt-on-icelandic-divide\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Freddy Ovett sets FKT on Icelandic Divide<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-53ff4b36-94d5-11f1-9359-758b27badb79\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XXN3J2UqDpvnAArpZrXG95-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Freddy Ovett rides to FKT on Icelandic Divide in July 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: COROS)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-53ff4ba4-94d5-11f1-a5bb-cfd9dd8a36ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Australian Freddy Ovett took on the remote territory of Iceland to set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 376.7-kilometre trek across the Nordic island country. He completed Icelandic Divide in 16 hours, 30 minutes, 39 seconds, averaging 24.1 kph with 4,066 metres of elevation accumulated.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The record, from north to south, was established by Payson McElveen (Allied Cycle Works-Red Bull) in 2021, becoming the first athlete to complete the ride in under 24 hours, and he did it in 19 hours, 45 minutes. Ovett broke that mark by over three hours, and instead of riding in daylight hours he began at 6 p.m. local time in Akureyri to ride in &#8216;unending dusk&#8217; into Vik.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Doing something more than just racing each season is something I\u2019ve been thinking about for a while now but doing exactly what and how isn\u2019t easy to come up with. Speaking with COROS at the end of last season I mentioned this to them and within months they come up with the idea to attack the Iceland Crossing record. It was a perfect distance and route in terms of management for my first FKT experience and I readily accepted the challenge,&#8221; he said in a press statement.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It means quite a bit to me because as much as I love racing, I love even more the idea of challenging myself on my own terms in my own way and this ride is exactly that. I loved every part of the experience not just the ride itself but the entire team involved and the time we all had together in Iceland.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ovett encountered more than a dozen water crossings, with tricky descents that followed for his very first FKT attempt. He plans to share the effort with a video.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He raced for seven seasons on the road, last with L39ION of Los Angeles in 2021-2022 and then transitioned to gravel in 2023. He has had several top 10s since, including Crushar in the Tushar and The Gralloch, and this year going 13th at RADL GRVL and 12th at Wich One Millau Grands Causses.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-53ff4c08-94d5-11f1-9c0d-4310888127f7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our gravel cycling coverage in 2026. We&#8217;ll be on the ground at the biggest races of the season, bringing you breaking news, expert analysis, in-depth features, and much more. <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/nicole-frain-wins-seventh-race-of-season-at-heathland-gravel-while-fellow-australian-sets-fkt-on-icelandic-divide-gravel-bits\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gz4JkzFTwRkRJKxz5fjwTM-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 UCI Gravel World Series: Oceania champion Nicole Frain and Jonas Lindberg celebrate solo wins at Hlinsko gravel 2 UCI Gravel World Series: Simon Pellaud and Natalia Franco solo to wins at high-elevation Bogot\u00e1 Gravel 3 UCI Gravel World Series: Marjolein van&#8217;t Geloof and Eddy Le Huitouze snare victory at Latvia&#8217;s Gravel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2086946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2086946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2086946"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2086946\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2086946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2086946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2086946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}