{"id":2115015,"date":"2026-08-27T01:57:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T22:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2115015"},"modified":"2026-08-27T01:57:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T22:57:40","slug":"field-building-for-far-flung-2026-uci-gravel-world-championships-key-life-time-grand-prix-competitors-among-expected-starters-despite-little-sugar-mtb-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2115015","title":{"rendered":"Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-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\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zjHmUwnskFuJeTYbEF8aYC-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                                    La Vuelta, Canada, or elsewhere \u2013 Where are the men&#8217;s stars riding in preparation for the Road World Championships?\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\/rL93en7GmXKCfwTZMXBbah-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rL93en7GmXKCfwTZMXBbah-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\">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                                    &#8216;From a spectator&#8217;s perspective, it&#8217;s awesome&#8217; &#8211; Michael Woods says gravel section on stage 6 of 2026 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a is &#8216;ambush territory&#8217;\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\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pyoa6JqM6PUXASaJ8znEpC-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                                    Lauf Gravel Worlds: Geerike Schreurs beats Rosa Kl\u00f6ser in photo finish as Torbj\u00f8rn R\u00f8ed wins three-way sprint after storms cause course rejig\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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Gravel World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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 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 <\/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=\"2026-08-27T01:57:40Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Matt Beers, Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e, Erica Magnaldi and Maddy Nutt among those named in wave of early rider announcements<\/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\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-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\">Riders on the roads around Nannup, which will host the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Daniela Tommasi)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\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-4d7f8b76-a124-11f1-97fb-6f67722e57bf\">The status of the Nannup-based UCI Gravel World Championships as the first running of the event outside Europe raised one question from the beginning: How many of gravel&#8217;s big names from there would be prepared to make the long trip? Then the timing of the Life Time Grand Prix Little Sugar MTB round on the same weekend delivered another: Would any of the competitors in the lucrative US-based series take part?<\/p>\n<p>The early waves of rider names being released by organisers as starters at the Western Australian race are beginning to make the answers to those two questions clear, with the emerging picture boding well for a hard-fought fifth edition. This time, however, it appears that the discipline specialists may play a more prominent role in the race for the rainbow jersey, which so far has largely been claimed by road professionals.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4d7f8b76-a124-11f1-97fb-6f67722e57bf-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Key figures in the Life Time Grand Prix series, Matt Beers and Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e, have both been named on the race social media as confirmed participants as, even though the race clashes with Little Sugar MTB, riders can be absent from the start of one of the six events in the series and still be eligible for the prize money. Plus, the October 10 and 11 date of the World Championships will still leave riders time to turn around and head back home for the mandatory series finale of Big Sugar on October 17.<\/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\">Beers hasn&#8217;t been on the start list since the very first edition in 2022 while Villafa\u00f1e has been absent since 2024, and given the off-road results of both their presence will add considerably to the lustre of the event as a true test of the best in gravel on a course that is heavy on it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After all, in the world of gravel that exists outside the UCI sanctioned events Villafa\u00f1e is hard to dispute as the Queen of the discipline, having won Unbound 200 and The Traka 200 twice, claimed overall victory in the Life Time Grand Prix series three times and delivering a gravel race winning tally this season that has only just been broken at Lauf Gravel Worlds &#8211; the unofficial version of the World Championships that pre-dated the UCI event. On the mountain bike she also has two Cape Epic wins under the belt.<\/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\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-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\">Unbound clash sees several top names missing from Australian Gravel Championships, but Tiffany Cromwell and Mark O&#8217;Brien set to defend titles<\/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\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-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\">Who will step up to challenge defending champions Karolina Migo\u0144 and Cameron Jones? \u2013 Analysing the Unbound 200 contenders <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Beers is a four-time Cape Epic winner who finished second at Unbound this year, won Lauf Gravel Worlds last year and has hit the podium at The Traka the past two years, once in the 200 and then this season in the 360. On top of that the South African has a long list of victories at other gravel events, from Big Sugar to the Belgian Waffle Ride California.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there is Danish Specialized Off-road teammate Mads W\u00fcrtz Schmidt. The European champion may not, yet, have been named among the wave of confirmed starters but right from the start of the year the winner of the two most prestigious gravel races of the season so far \u2013 The Traka 360 and Unbound 200 \u2013 has made no secret of his intention to head to Nannup.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF 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\">The flow of names expected to be the start line from organisers has also included other key names in the discipline, from home nation riders to top European gravel specialists. They include Oceania Champion Nicole Frain, Australian champion Tiffany Cromwell, who has long juggled road and gravel, along with 2023 Unbound 200 winner Carolin Schiff and 2026 The Traka 560 winner Maddy Nutt.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there is Felix Stehli, who came fifth last year at the Gravel World Championships; 2024 The Traka 200 winner Petr Vako\u010d, new Belgian champion Daan Soete and 2026 The Traka 200 winner Lukas P\u00f6stlberger.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The announcements from among the more road focussed riders have been thinner on the ground so far, although 2025 European champion Erica Magnaldi has joined Cromwell on that list. However, there are of course still many more rider announcements expected to be rolled out through the next six weeks.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Still, there has always been potential for there to be less cross-over discipline riders on the start line given that the terrain may discourage some \u2013 with this being the most gravel heavy edition to date \u2013 and the location others. There are no easy last minute decisions to squeeze in the race among a busy calendar in another discipline like there have been other years, given the full day of travel required from Europe where most road professionals are based.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Though, from what we can see so far, a strong contingent of the top gravel specialists are making the trip to be on the start line of the event in a remote corner of Western Australia, which looks set to deliver a battle for the gravel title unlike any we have seen before.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/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<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF 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\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" 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\">Simone Giuliani<\/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\">Australia Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Simone is a degree-qualified journalist that has accumulated decades of wide-ranging experience while working across a variety of leading media organisations. She joined <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor. Previously she worked as a freelance writer, Australian Editor at <em>Ella CyclingTips<\/em> and as a correspondent for <em>Reuters<\/em> and <em>Bloomberg<\/em>. Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone, who started out as a business journalist, but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport.<\/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\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-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\">Unbound clash sees several top names missing from Australian Gravel Championships, but Tiffany Cromwell and Mark O&#8217;Brien set to defend titles<\/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\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-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\">Who will step up to challenge defending champions Karolina Migo\u0144 and Cameron Jones? \u2013 Analysing the Unbound 200 contenders <\/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\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-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\">Unbound Gravel decides Life Time Grand Prix wildcards with Danni Shrosbree and Martins Blums topping the table of new recruits<\/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\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-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\">Leadville Trail 100 MTB contenders 2026 &#8211; Can anyone unseat Keegan Swenson and who can take the top spot vacated by Kate Courtney?<\/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\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-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\">How to watch gravel races around the world &#8211; A guide to livestreams and free broadcasts this summer for Leadville Trail 100, Belgian Championships, Lauf Gravel Worlds and more<\/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 Racing<\/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\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-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\">&#8216;Still in good shape, I think&#8217; \u2013 Oscar Onley moves past stomach bug at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a as first Grand Tour with Netcompany Ineos takes shape<\/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\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-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\">UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Italy comes from behind to claim team relay<\/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\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-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\">&#8216;I might still have a stage win in me&#8217; &#8211; Mads Pedersen sacrifices rare sprint chance for Vuelta crosswind gambit that falls short<\/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\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-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\">Caroline Andersson joins AG Insurance-Soudal in major boost for Kim Le Court-Pienaar&#8217;s support squad \u2013 Analysis<\/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\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-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\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for Tour de France Femmes start<\/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\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar just logged the biggest solo victory of his Grand Tour career \u2013 here&#8217;s how it stacks up in his gallery of lone raids<\/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\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-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\">&#8216;Still in good shape, I think&#8217; \u2013 Oscar Onley moves past stomach bug at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a as first Grand Tour with Netcompany Ineos takes shape<\/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\/QMB5s9ZeX2YDZtuJBWDVNP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QMB5s9ZeX2YDZtuJBWDVNP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QMB5s9ZeX2YDZtuJBWDVNP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QMB5s9ZeX2YDZtuJBWDVNP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QMB5s9ZeX2YDZtuJBWDVNP-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;For some reason, my legs aren&#8217;t responding as they should&#8217; &#8211; Carlos Rodr\u00edguez looking for answers to unexplained subpar form at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-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\">&#8216;I might still have a stage win in me&#8217; &#8211; Mads Pedersen sacrifices rare sprint chance for Vuelta crosswind gambit that falls short<\/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\/GbTwR8dgcxzbfFRYVG2iLh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbTwR8dgcxzbfFRYVG2iLh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbTwR8dgcxzbfFRYVG2iLh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbTwR8dgcxzbfFRYVG2iLh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GbTwR8dgcxzbfFRYVG2iLh-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;There&#8217;s still a battle going on&#8217; &#8211; Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 5 winner Matthew Brennan explains how Visma-Lease a Bike use terrain to stop Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/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\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-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\">Caroline Andersson joins AG Insurance-Soudal in major boost for Kim Le Court-Pienaar&#8217;s support squad \u2013 Analysis<\/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\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lorenzo Finn crowned winner of the 2026 Tour de l&#8217;Avenir, underlining future star status<\/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\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-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;Still in good shape, I think&#8217; \u2013 Oscar Onley moves past stomach bug at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a as first Grand Tour with Netcompany Ineos takes shape<\/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>Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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>&#8216;For some reason, my legs aren&#8217;t responding as they should&#8217; &#8211; Carlos Rodr\u00edguez looking for answers to unexplained subpar form at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Italy comes from behind to claim team relay<\/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;I might still have a stage win in me&#8217; &#8211; Mads Pedersen sacrifices rare sprint chance for Vuelta crosswind gambit that falls short<\/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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Gravel World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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 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 <\/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=\"2026-08-27T01:57:40Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Matt Beers, Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e, Erica Magnaldi and Maddy Nutt among those named in wave of early rider announcements<\/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\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-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\">Riders on the roads around Nannup, which will host the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Daniela Tommasi)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\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-4d7f8b76-a124-11f1-97fb-6f67722e57bf\">The status of the Nannup-based UCI Gravel World Championships as the first running of the event outside Europe raised one question from the beginning: How many of gravel&#8217;s big names from there would be prepared to make the long trip? Then the timing of the Life Time Grand Prix Little Sugar MTB round on the same weekend delivered another: Would any of the competitors in the lucrative US-based series take part?<\/p>\n<p>The early waves of rider names being released by organisers as starters at the Western Australian race are beginning to make the answers to those two questions clear, with the emerging picture boding well for a hard-fought fifth edition. This time, however, it appears that the discipline specialists may play a more prominent role in the race for the rainbow jersey, which so far has largely been claimed by road professionals.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4d7f8b76-a124-11f1-97fb-6f67722e57bf-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Key figures in the Life Time Grand Prix series, Matt Beers and Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e, have both been named on the race social media as confirmed participants as, even though the race clashes with Little Sugar MTB, riders can be absent from the start of one of the six events in the series and still be eligible for the prize money. Plus, the October 10 and 11 date of the World Championships will still leave riders time to turn around and head back home for the mandatory series finale of Big Sugar on October 17.<\/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\">Beers hasn&#8217;t been on the start list since the very first edition in 2022 while Villafa\u00f1e has been absent since 2024, and given the off-road results of both their presence will add considerably to the lustre of the event as a true test of the best in gravel on a course that is heavy on it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After all, in the world of gravel that exists outside the UCI sanctioned events Villafa\u00f1e is hard to dispute as the Queen of the discipline, having won Unbound 200 and The Traka 200 twice, claimed overall victory in the Life Time Grand Prix series three times and delivering a gravel race winning tally this season that has only just been broken at Lauf Gravel Worlds &#8211; the unofficial version of the World Championships that pre-dated the UCI event. On the mountain bike she also has two Cape Epic wins under the belt.<\/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\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-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\">Unbound clash sees several top names missing from Australian Gravel Championships, but Tiffany Cromwell and Mark O&#8217;Brien set to defend titles<\/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\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-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\">Who will step up to challenge defending champions Karolina Migo\u0144 and Cameron Jones? \u2013 Analysing the Unbound 200 contenders <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Beers is a four-time Cape Epic winner who finished second at Unbound this year, won Lauf Gravel Worlds last year and has hit the podium at The Traka the past two years, once in the 200 and then this season in the 360. On top of that the South African has a long list of victories at other gravel events, from Big Sugar to the Belgian Waffle Ride California.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there is Danish Specialized Off-road teammate Mads W\u00fcrtz Schmidt. The European champion may not, yet, have been named among the wave of confirmed starters but right from the start of the year the winner of the two most prestigious gravel races of the season so far \u2013 The Traka 360 and Unbound 200 \u2013 has made no secret of his intention to head to Nannup.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF 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\">The flow of names expected to be the start line from organisers has also included other key names in the discipline, from home nation riders to top European gravel specialists. They include Oceania Champion Nicole Frain, Australian champion Tiffany Cromwell, who has long juggled road and gravel, along with 2023 Unbound 200 winner Carolin Schiff and 2026 The Traka 560 winner Maddy Nutt.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there is Felix Stehli, who came fifth last year at the Gravel World Championships; 2024 The Traka 200 winner Petr Vako\u010d, new Belgian champion Daan Soete and 2026 The Traka 200 winner Lukas P\u00f6stlberger.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The announcements from among the more road focussed riders have been thinner on the ground so far, although 2025 European champion Erica Magnaldi has joined Cromwell on that list. However, there are of course still many more rider announcements expected to be rolled out through the next six weeks.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Still, there has always been potential for there to be less cross-over discipline riders on the start line given that the terrain may discourage some \u2013 with this being the most gravel heavy edition to date \u2013 and the location others. There are no easy last minute decisions to squeeze in the race among a busy calendar in another discipline like there have been other years, given the full day of travel required from Europe where most road professionals are based.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Though, from what we can see so far, a strong contingent of the top gravel specialists are making the trip to be on the start line of the event in a remote corner of Western Australia, which looks set to deliver a battle for the gravel title unlike any we have seen before.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/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<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF 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\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUKCQmBBgAFRGkijgpLyah.jpg\" 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\">Simone Giuliani<\/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\">Australia Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Simone is a degree-qualified journalist that has accumulated decades of wide-ranging experience while working across a variety of leading media organisations. She joined <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor. Previously she worked as a freelance writer, Australian Editor at <em>Ella CyclingTips<\/em> and as a correspondent for <em>Reuters<\/em> and <em>Bloomberg<\/em>. Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone, who started out as a business journalist, but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport.<\/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\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-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\">Unbound clash sees several top names missing from Australian Gravel Championships, but Tiffany Cromwell and Mark O&#8217;Brien set to defend titles<\/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\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-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\">Who will step up to challenge defending champions Karolina Migo\u0144 and Cameron Jones? \u2013 Analysing the Unbound 200 contenders <\/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\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iUJdiACER2xexz49iVLe3Y-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\">Unbound Gravel decides Life Time Grand Prix wildcards with Danni Shrosbree and Martins Blums topping the table of new recruits<\/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\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-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\">Leadville Trail 100 MTB contenders 2026 &#8211; Can anyone unseat Keegan Swenson and who can take the top spot vacated by Kate Courtney?<\/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\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8aiivvC4Xm48NjhbxbDvvH-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\">How to watch gravel races around the world &#8211; A guide to livestreams and free broadcasts this summer for Leadville Trail 100, Belgian Championships, Lauf Gravel Worlds and more<\/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 Racing<\/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\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-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\">&#8216;Still in good shape, I think&#8217; \u2013 Oscar Onley moves past stomach bug at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a as first Grand Tour with Netcompany Ineos takes shape<\/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\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iWrdmw2peqCWyxXa3WoJVc-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\">UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Italy comes from behind to claim team relay<\/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\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-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\">&#8216;I might still have a stage win in me&#8217; &#8211; Mads Pedersen sacrifices rare sprint chance for Vuelta crosswind gambit that falls short<\/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\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-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\">Caroline Andersson joins AG Insurance-Soudal in major boost for Kim Le Court-Pienaar&#8217;s support squad \u2013 Analysis<\/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\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DxNyktoGMPd4BiVQfiPj2h-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\">Pedalling hard to realise the African dream \u2013 Team Amani&#8217;s two-year plan for Tour de France Femmes start<\/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\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AuBh5riYeUQog4ERdVEoCd-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar just logged the biggest solo victory of his Grand Tour career \u2013 here&#8217;s how it stacks up in his gallery of lone raids<\/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\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-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\">&#8216;Still in good shape, I think&#8217; \u2013 Oscar Onley moves past stomach bug at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a as first Grand Tour with Netcompany Ineos takes shape<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" 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\/><\/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;For some reason, my legs aren&#8217;t responding as they should&#8217; &#8211; Carlos Rodr\u00edguez looking for answers to unexplained subpar form at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fqHMXYZnJwNaYgBDF8bVSM-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\">&#8216;I might still have a stage win in me&#8217; &#8211; Mads Pedersen sacrifices rare sprint chance for Vuelta crosswind gambit that falls short<\/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\" 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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;There&#8217;s still a battle going on&#8217; &#8211; Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage 5 winner Matthew Brennan explains how Visma-Lease a Bike use terrain to stop Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/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\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6nEGi3LHNPsKibQZtPpSgi-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\">Caroline Andersson joins AG Insurance-Soudal in major boost for Kim Le Court-Pienaar&#8217;s support squad \u2013 Analysis<\/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\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xbGKHtEC95AhWJ9jvVGWZ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lorenzo Finn crowned winner of the 2026 Tour de l&#8217;Avenir, underlining future star status<\/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\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dehdt74XTPxrschCrHgZLf-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;Still in good shape, I think&#8217; \u2013 Oscar Onley moves past stomach bug at Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a as first Grand Tour with Netcompany Ineos takes shape<\/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>Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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>&#8216;For some reason, my legs aren&#8217;t responding as they should&#8217; &#8211; Carlos Rodr\u00edguez looking for answers to unexplained subpar form at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/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>UCI Mountain Bike World Championships: Italy comes from behind to claim team relay<\/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;I might still have a stage win in me&#8217; &#8211; Mads Pedersen sacrifices rare sprint chance for Vuelta crosswind gambit that falls short<\/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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Gravel World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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 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 <\/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=\"2026-08-27T01:57:40Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Matt Beers, Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e, Erica Magnaldi and Maddy Nutt among those named in wave of early rider announcements<\/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 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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-4d7f8b76-a124-11f1-97fb-6f67722e57bf\">The status of the Nannup-based UCI Gravel World Championships as the first running of the event outside Europe raised one question from the beginning: How many of gravel&#8217;s big names from there would be prepared to make the long trip? Then the timing of the Life Time Grand Prix Little Sugar MTB round on the same weekend delivered another: Would any of the competitors in the lucrative US-based series take part?<\/p>\n<p>The early waves of rider names being released by organisers as starters at the Western Australian race are beginning to make the answers to those two questions clear, with the emerging picture boding well for a hard-fought fifth edition. This time, however, it appears that the discipline specialists may play a more prominent role in the race for the rainbow jersey, which so far has largely been claimed by road professionals.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4d7f8b76-a124-11f1-97fb-6f67722e57bf-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Key figures in the Life Time Grand Prix series, Matt Beers and Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e, have both been named on the race social media as confirmed participants as, even though the race clashes with Little Sugar MTB, riders can be absent from the start of one of the six events in the series and still be eligible for the prize money. Plus, the October 10 and 11 date of the World Championships will still leave riders time to turn around and head back home for the mandatory series finale of Big Sugar on October 17.<\/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\">Beers hasn&#8217;t been on the start list since the very first edition in 2022 while Villafa\u00f1e has been absent since 2024, and given the off-road results of both their presence will add considerably to the lustre of the event as a true test of the best in gravel on a course that is heavy on it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After all, in the world of gravel that exists outside the UCI sanctioned events Villafa\u00f1e is hard to dispute as the Queen of the discipline, having won Unbound 200 and The Traka 200 twice, claimed overall victory in the Life Time Grand Prix series three times and delivering a gravel race winning tally this season that has only just been broken at Lauf Gravel Worlds &#8211; the unofficial version of the World Championships that pre-dated the UCI event. On the mountain bike she also has two Cape Epic wins under the belt.<\/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\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8pKVAGZqgpY78M556XpHpE-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\">Unbound clash sees several top names missing from Australian Gravel Championships, but Tiffany Cromwell and Mark O&#8217;Brien set to defend titles<\/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\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HWzhkXywLpD27F6zYjQp2Z-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\">Who will step up to challenge defending champions Karolina Migo\u0144 and Cameron Jones? \u2013 Analysing the Unbound 200 contenders <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Beers is a four-time Cape Epic winner who finished second at Unbound this year, won Lauf Gravel Worlds last year and has hit the podium at The Traka the past two years, once in the 200 and then this season in the 360. On top of that the South African has a long list of victories at other gravel events, from Big Sugar to the Belgian Waffle Ride California.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there is Danish Specialized Off-road teammate Mads W\u00fcrtz Schmidt. The European champion may not, yet, have been named among the wave of confirmed starters but right from the start of the year the winner of the two most prestigious gravel races of the season so far \u2013 The Traka 360 and Unbound 200 \u2013 has made no secret of his intention to head to Nannup.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oXybWAVjt7jvyouUCAR6oF 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\">The flow of names expected to be the start line from organisers has also included other key names in the discipline, from home nation riders to top European gravel specialists. They include Oceania Champion Nicole Frain, Australian champion Tiffany Cromwell, who has long juggled road and gravel, along with 2023 Unbound 200 winner Carolin Schiff and 2026 The Traka 560 winner Maddy Nutt.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there is Felix Stehli, who came fifth last year at the Gravel World Championships; 2024 The Traka 200 winner Petr Vako\u010d, new Belgian champion Daan Soete and 2026 The Traka 200 winner Lukas P\u00f6stlberger.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The announcements from among the more road focussed riders have been thinner on the ground so far, although 2025 European champion Erica Magnaldi has joined Cromwell on that list. However, there are of course still many more rider announcements expected to be rolled out through the next six weeks.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Still, there has always been potential for there to be less cross-over discipline riders on the start line given that the terrain may discourage some \u2013 with this being the most gravel heavy edition to date \u2013 and the location others. There are no easy last minute decisions to squeeze in the race among a busy calendar in another discipline like there have been other years, given the full day of travel required from Europe where most road professionals are based.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Though, from what we can see so far, a strong contingent of the top gravel specialists are making the trip to be on the start line of the event in a remote corner of Western Australia, which looks set to deliver a battle for the gravel title unlike any we have seen before.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/field-building-for-far-flung-2026-uci-gravel-world-championships-key-life-time-grand-prix-competitors-among-expected-starters-despite-little-sugar-mtb-clash\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 La Vuelta, Canada, or elsewhere \u2013 Where are the men&#8217;s stars riding in preparation for the Road World Championships? 2 &#8216;From a spectator&#8217;s perspective, it&#8217;s awesome&#8217; &#8211; Michael Woods says gravel section on stage 6 of 2026 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a is &#8216;ambush territory&#8217; 3 Lauf Gravel Worlds: Geerike Schreurs beats Rosa [&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-2115015","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\/2115015","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=2115015"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2115015\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2115015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2115015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2115015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}