{"id":2182927,"date":"2026-10-06T22:01:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T19:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2182927"},"modified":"2026-10-06T22:01:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T19:01:48","slug":"its-more-a-personal-battle-sofia-gomez-villafane-locked-in-all-year-for-significant-climbing-and-wide-open-gravel-at-uci-gravel-world-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2182927","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;It&#8217;s more a personal battle&#8217; &#8211; Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e locked in all year for significant climbing and &#8216;wide open gravel&#8217; at UCI Gravel World Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-2100-80.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\/aVDAw6hqD6AUQktJ4aFN4Q-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aVDAw6hqD6AUQktJ4aFN4Q-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                                    Will Vollering continue the Dutch domination or can someone exact Worlds revenge? \u2013 European Championships women&#8217;s road race contenders\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\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    True grit specialists primed to challenge the run of road pro rainbow jerseys \u2013 Analysing the Gravel World Championships contenders\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\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-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                                    The gravelliest UCI Gravel World Championships of them all \u2013 A detailed look at the &#8216;perfect storm&#8217; of terrain that riders will face this October in Western Australia\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Gravel World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;It&#8217;s more a personal battle&#8217; &#8211; Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e locked in all year for significant climbing and &#8216;wide open gravel&#8217; at UCI Gravel World Championships<\/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>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-06T22:01:48Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">After slower summer of racing, leader of Life Time Grand Prix &#8216;firing again&#8217; for October races in Australia and Arkansas<\/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\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-320-80.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=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Simon Krenk)<\/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-7c6454ea-c0cc-11f1-a464-7730d0e538bb\">Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e&#8217;s proverbial ladder of success has led to more than 20 major off-road victories on three continents so far, over the past five-and-a-half seasons. This year she put a bullseye on Nannup for the UCI Gravel World Championships.<\/p>\n<p>She has won multiple national titles for the two countries she represents with dual citizenship &#8211; as a collegiate racer in mountain bike and cyclo-cross for the US and MTB cross-country for Argentina. In 2021, she made history for Argentina as the first female to compete in XCO mountain bike at the Olympic Games since 2004, finishing top 25. With bigger stakes this season, she trained and raced for the ultimate rainbow reward.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7c6454ea-c0cc-11f1-a464-7730d0e538bb-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;ve actually had it targeted as an event for almost a year. It&#8217;s not a last-minute decision. It&#8217;s not something that we sprinkled in,&#8221; Villafa\u00f1e told <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em><\/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\">Since moving from the one-hour power outputs of the World Cup MTB scene to long-distance off-road challenges in 2021, the 32-year-old has signature victories at Unbound Gravel 200, The Traka 200 and Cape Epic &#8211; winning each event twice. In North America, she has a crowded trophy case with seven Belgian Waffle Ride wins, a sweep of all three editions of Valley of Tears, a win at Leadville Trail 100 and many others.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The most significant mark of being &#8216;the best&#8217; is to be a world champion, and a rainbow jersey remains elusive, in any discipline, for one of the world&#8217;s most dominant off-road cyclists.<\/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\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-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\">Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">True grit specialists primed to challenge the run of road pro rainbow jerseys \u2013 Analysing the Gravel World Championships contenders<\/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\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-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\">Is Nannup delivering the first &#8216;real&#8217; UCI Gravel World Championships?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Twice before, Villafa\u00f1e has competed at the UCI Gravel World Championships for Argentina, her best finish 12th on Italian races that did not compare to the high-elevation, long-distance courses to which she was accustomed in North America. So when the UCI Gravel Worlds announced the courses a year ago for Western Australia, Villafa\u00f1e locked in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So the decision to target this year&#8217;s World Championship actually got solidified in October, November of last year with my coach. We have been really needing to set some big goals behind the season,&#8221; Villafa\u00f1e told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>before she left the US for Australia.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve been really committed to the Life Time Grand Prix. Knowing the past two years the [Worlds] courses really didn&#8217;t suit me, we thought the courses in Australia might.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s hard to realise that her first outing in an off-road endurance race was Crusher in the Tushar in Utah, where she didn&#8217;t even have a gravel bike. With some tyre adjustments and a larger chainring, she won solo in the 69-mile event with more than 10,000 feet of climbing. A month later, she won solo again, this time at the mixed-surface Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina using a Specialized Diverge borrowed from Katerina Nash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once she had all equipment set with Specialized Off-road and made the cut as part of the inaugural, invitation-only Life Time Grand Prix series for 2022, the upward trajectory began. She&#8217;s won the Grand Prix three times and sits at the top of the leaderboard for 2026.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-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\">The gravelliest UCI Gravel World Championships of them all \u2013 A detailed look at the &#8216;perfect storm&#8217; of terrain that riders will face this October in Western Australia<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I&#8217;m dreaming of something beautiful&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos heads to UCI Gravel World Championships in Australia in bid to reclaim rainbow stripes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-150-80.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\">Despite being 10 years younger than the &#8216;big kids&#8217;, multi-discipline U23 talent Kylee Hanel thriving in &#8216;long, grueling races of gravel&#8217; with Leadville looming<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1c5f41e0-c0ea-11f1-ba0a-ad6fc0a990bb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e (right) extended her lead in the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix standings with the win at Chequamegon MTB, congratulating race runner-up Karolina Migo\u0144, who was fourth in the Grand Prix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Life Time)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1c5f4262-c0ea-11f1-b69f-b5f47907a19e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The trip to Australia means that Villafa\u00f1e will have to miss Little Sugar MTB in Arkansas, as that round of the Life Time Grand Prix takes place on the same weekend as Worlds. It will be the one &#8216;drop race&#8217; of the series for the three-time winner, leaving the 100-mile Big Sugar Classic on October 17 to determine final standings.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;re getting to Australia early, so we&#8217;re flying the 29th, getting there October 1st. So really giving the body time to adjust,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> about travelling with her husband Keegan Swenson, also part of the Grand Prix and will represent Team USA at Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then the plan is to fly out Sunday evening because all the flights from Australia are at like 11 p.m. at night. Basically everything&#8217;s packed as Keegan [Swenson] finishes, and we go straight to the airport, so we could arrive Monday late afternoon in Bentonville and have a few days to get the body recovered ahead of Big Sugar.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Elite women will again have a dedicated start on October 10 with 78 miles (125.6km). The race is the shortest distance for the women&#8217;s race in the five-year history of UCI Gravel Worlds, the longest in 2023 at 141km in Veneto, but it has heavy climbing, 3,179 metres (10,429 feet) worth, and 84% on wide, dirt roads.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s being dubbed as the first real gravel World Championships in terms of a course. I think it&#8217;s exciting for it to be somewhere new. The fact that it&#8217;s outside of Europe adds a new element.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think you are gonna have hills and wide-open gravel, which is a little bit more like the American gravel that I&#8217;m used to. Yeah, I think it&#8217;s gonna be a really good course.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"even-an-unbound-winner-has-to-qualify-for-worlds-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even an Unbound winner has to qualify for Worlds<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-fd264492-c0e2-11f1-b74f-a534eabab774\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sofia Gomez Villafane raises her arms as she crosses the finish line at The Traka 200 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Oriol Gonzalvo \/ The Traka)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-fd26450a-c0e2-11f1-8575-ef5a89ebb163\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The squeeze play for a week of October races, separated by 10,743 miles (17,289 kilometers), was set in motion in February in Spain, where Villafa\u00f1e stayed to race a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I went to Spain in February to race Santa Val, we added a UCI gravel race so I can make sure I could qualify and not have to go through the federation and all those things. It&#8217;s definitely been a targeted race,&#8221; she explained.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She swept both stages and the overall at Santa Vall. Then she took off after the first 16km of the 97km Castell\u00f3n Gravel Race and won solo, giving her automatic qualification to Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty sure Argentina would have given me a spot, like they always have for whatever world championships I&#8217;ve had to do. But it was nice to earn it, have my ticket, and have some UCI points,&#8221; she said, though she&#8217;ll have work to do from the start grid.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean, I think I&#8217;ll be pretty far back because I&#8217;ve only done one [UCI gravel world series event]. We have riders that race almost the entire calendar, so it&#8217;s better than zero, so I&#8217;ll take it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A second trip to Santa Vall this year was the barometre for her off-season training. She said workouts don&#8217;t always &#8220;translate to good races&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean opening up the season in Santa Val like I did, I knew we had, with my coach, done a lot of hard work in the base season. So to really be able to climb and attack the way that I did at Santa Val was very rewarding. I mean, Spain just treats me really well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It may be easier to list what she didn&#8217;t win rather than what she conquered, but we&#8217;ll start with the Life Time Grand Prix. She won Sea Otter Classic Gravel and a second Unbound 200, then after seventh place at Leadville 100, she won Chequamegon MTB. Her spring in the US included wins at The Mid South and Valley of Tears and plus a second SBT GRVL in between summer Grand Prix races.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had a phenomenal start to the first half of the year, and then in the summer we kind of had to take a little bit slower. Then in the past like two weeks, I&#8217;ve been firing again. So I&#8217;m really hopeful that I&#8217;m showing up really well prepared,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, it&#8217;s more a personal battle [at Worlds]. I just have never been able to put it together at a world championship level race.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It will be her first trip to Australia, and she said the biggest appeal was the hilly course. The competition includes Life Time Grand Prix rival Karolina Migo\u0144 (Poland), who is fourth in the overall standings. Rosa Kl\u00f6ser (Germany) has withdrawn from the Grand Prix but will be in Nannup as a formidable opponent, finishing second to Villafa\u00f1e at Santa Vall but then better at Lauf Gravel Worlds with second, two spots better than Villafa\u00f1e. And then there&#8217;s a stacked Dutch team with her Specialized Off-road teammate Geerike Schreurs and former gravel World Champion and last year&#8217;s silver medallist Marianne Vos confirmed to start.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That firing on all engines was evident yet again at the fourth round of the Life Time Grand Prix in Wisconsin on September 19, where Villafa\u00f1e overcame a crash in the mud and fought back to win the elite women&#8217;s race at Chequamegon MTB. This was her third win in four series starts to give her a firm 18-point lead in the Grand Prix overall standings, now just Big Sugar remaining on her calendar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Now I just need to stay healthy and hopefully have smooth travel down there, smooth adaptation. And really just have a stress-free environment come pre-race day because that&#8217;s really what affects me the most. If there&#8217;s stress around me, then I get stressed. But if it&#8217;s chilled, then I&#8217;m chilled.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s only been five years since she started racing gravel and didn&#8217;t even have a gravel bike. She&#8217;s proven with consistent performances, versatility across disciplines and competitive drive to be the leading off-road rider for these Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So far across her dominant season, Villafa\u00f1e said wins at The Traka and Unbound Gravel 200 have been her highlights of the year, and &#8220;each race had its little moment to celebrate&#8221;. When asked if there was a third so far, she just left that open, hoping to complete the answer to that question later with a rainbow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of the UCI Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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><\/em><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/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>North American<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/p>\n<p>Racing<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" alt=\"Jackie Tyson\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image rounded-full\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Jackie Tyson<\/p>\n<\/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\">\nSocial Links Navigation\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">North American Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years &#8211; from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. On the bike, she has climbed l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez three times (not fast), and spends time on gravel around horse farms in north Georgia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/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\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-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\">Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-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\">True grit specialists primed to challenge the run of road pro rainbow jerseys \u2013 Analysing the Gravel World Championships 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\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-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\">Is Nannup delivering the first &#8216;real&#8217; UCI Gravel World Championships?<\/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\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-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\">The gravelliest UCI Gravel World Championships of them all \u2013 A detailed look at the &#8216;perfect storm&#8217; of terrain that riders will face this October in Western Australia<\/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\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m dreaming of something beautiful&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos heads to UCI Gravel World Championships in Australia in bid to reclaim rainbow stripes<\/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\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-320-80.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\">Despite being 10 years younger than the &#8216;big kids&#8217;, multi-discipline U23 talent Kylee Hanel thriving in &#8216;long, grueling races of gravel&#8217; with Leadville looming<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-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\">Canyon-SRAM strengthen sprint and Classics lineup with Georgia Baker signing<\/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\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-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;Perhaps it will wear off and I will go back to suffering&#8217; \u2013 World Champion Brandon McNulty still riding high as he makes impressive start to rainbow jersey reign<\/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\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-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\">Visma-Lease a Bike promote former rider Nathan Van Hooydonck to new leading sporting director role<\/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\/yLSMKZgTcGuuDRd7RJNRwV-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yLSMKZgTcGuuDRd7RJNRwV-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yLSMKZgTcGuuDRd7RJNRwV-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yLSMKZgTcGuuDRd7RJNRwV-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yLSMKZgTcGuuDRd7RJNRwV-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The last jersey I still wanted and needed&#8217; \u2013 Champion of championships Remco Evenepoel completes the set with eighth elite title out of eight<\/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\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-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;In terms of potential he has everything, absolutely everything&#8217; \u2013 From late call-up to first race with pro team, Matthew Peace looks right at home<\/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\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-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\">\u2018In one moment I was really believing it\u2019 &#8211; disappointed Giulio Ciccone reflects on agonising second place at European Championships<\/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 Features<\/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\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-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;The world caves in on you&#8217; &#8211; Ion Izagirre reflects on broken wrist injury that wrecked end of 17-year career<\/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\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Clothing &amp; Shoes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Most aero socks are a waste of money: Here&#8217;s the wind tunnel verified proof<\/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\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-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\">Cycling has the fans, it just needs to monetise them \u2013 Can a new style of events and engagement help to solve cycling&#8217;s funding problem?<\/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\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-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\">North American crowds deliver, the juniors deserve better, and the Dutch get it so right \u2013\u00a0Our key takeaways from the Road World Championships 2026<\/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\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-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;We put our egos aside\u2019 \u2013 How the USA harnessed selfless teamwork to deliver Brandon McNulty to World Championships gold<\/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\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-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\">Yes, the favourite won, but the Women&#8217;s World Championships road race was a thriller where everyone was racing for the win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-320-80.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;It&#8217;s more a personal battle&#8217; &#8211; Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e locked in all year for significant climbing and &#8216;wide open gravel&#8217; at UCI Gravel World Championships<\/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>Is Nannup delivering the first &#8216;real&#8217; UCI Gravel World Championships?<\/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;I was mad&#8217; \u2013 Tom Pidcock says two teammates were hit by police motorbike driving against peloton at Tre Valli Varesine<\/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>Tre Valli Varesine: Jarno Widar pulls off surprise win in three-up sprint with Tom Pidcock and Matteo Jorgenson<\/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>I love the K\u00e4rcher OC3 Foldable \u2013 it&#8217;s perfect for bike cleaning, and at a best-ever 32% off in the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Gravel World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;It&#8217;s more a personal battle&#8217; &#8211; Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e locked in all year for significant climbing and &#8216;wide open gravel&#8217; at UCI Gravel World Championships<\/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>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-06T22:01:48Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">After slower summer of racing, leader of Life Time Grand Prix &#8216;firing again&#8217; for October races in Australia and Arkansas<\/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\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-320-80.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=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Simon Krenk)<\/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-7c6454ea-c0cc-11f1-a464-7730d0e538bb\">Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e&#8217;s proverbial ladder of success has led to more than 20 major off-road victories on three continents so far, over the past five-and-a-half seasons. This year she put a bullseye on Nannup for the UCI Gravel World Championships.<\/p>\n<p>She has won multiple national titles for the two countries she represents with dual citizenship &#8211; as a collegiate racer in mountain bike and cyclo-cross for the US and MTB cross-country for Argentina. In 2021, she made history for Argentina as the first female to compete in XCO mountain bike at the Olympic Games since 2004, finishing top 25. With bigger stakes this season, she trained and raced for the ultimate rainbow reward.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7c6454ea-c0cc-11f1-a464-7730d0e538bb-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;ve actually had it targeted as an event for almost a year. It&#8217;s not a last-minute decision. It&#8217;s not something that we sprinkled in,&#8221; Villafa\u00f1e told <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em><\/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\">Since moving from the one-hour power outputs of the World Cup MTB scene to long-distance off-road challenges in 2021, the 32-year-old has signature victories at Unbound Gravel 200, The Traka 200 and Cape Epic &#8211; winning each event twice. In North America, she has a crowded trophy case with seven Belgian Waffle Ride wins, a sweep of all three editions of Valley of Tears, a win at Leadville Trail 100 and many others.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The most significant mark of being &#8216;the best&#8217; is to be a world champion, and a rainbow jersey remains elusive, in any discipline, for one of the world&#8217;s most dominant off-road cyclists.<\/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\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-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\">Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">True grit specialists primed to challenge the run of road pro rainbow jerseys \u2013 Analysing the Gravel World Championships contenders<\/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\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-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\">Is Nannup delivering the first &#8216;real&#8217; UCI Gravel World Championships?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Twice before, Villafa\u00f1e has competed at the UCI Gravel World Championships for Argentina, her best finish 12th on Italian races that did not compare to the high-elevation, long-distance courses to which she was accustomed in North America. So when the UCI Gravel Worlds announced the courses a year ago for Western Australia, Villafa\u00f1e locked in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So the decision to target this year&#8217;s World Championship actually got solidified in October, November of last year with my coach. We have been really needing to set some big goals behind the season,&#8221; Villafa\u00f1e told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>before she left the US for Australia.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve been really committed to the Life Time Grand Prix. Knowing the past two years the [Worlds] courses really didn&#8217;t suit me, we thought the courses in Australia might.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s hard to realise that her first outing in an off-road endurance race was Crusher in the Tushar in Utah, where she didn&#8217;t even have a gravel bike. With some tyre adjustments and a larger chainring, she won solo in the 69-mile event with more than 10,000 feet of climbing. A month later, she won solo again, this time at the mixed-surface Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina using a Specialized Diverge borrowed from Katerina Nash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once she had all equipment set with Specialized Off-road and made the cut as part of the inaugural, invitation-only Life Time Grand Prix series for 2022, the upward trajectory began. She&#8217;s won the Grand Prix three times and sits at the top of the leaderboard for 2026.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-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\">The gravelliest UCI Gravel World Championships of them all \u2013 A detailed look at the &#8216;perfect storm&#8217; of terrain that riders will face this October in Western Australia<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I&#8217;m dreaming of something beautiful&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos heads to UCI Gravel World Championships in Australia in bid to reclaim rainbow stripes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-150-80.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\">Despite being 10 years younger than the &#8216;big kids&#8217;, multi-discipline U23 talent Kylee Hanel thriving in &#8216;long, grueling races of gravel&#8217; with Leadville looming<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1c5f41e0-c0ea-11f1-ba0a-ad6fc0a990bb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e (right) extended her lead in the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix standings with the win at Chequamegon MTB, congratulating race runner-up Karolina Migo\u0144, who was fourth in the Grand Prix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Life Time)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1c5f4262-c0ea-11f1-b69f-b5f47907a19e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The trip to Australia means that Villafa\u00f1e will have to miss Little Sugar MTB in Arkansas, as that round of the Life Time Grand Prix takes place on the same weekend as Worlds. It will be the one &#8216;drop race&#8217; of the series for the three-time winner, leaving the 100-mile Big Sugar Classic on October 17 to determine final standings.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;re getting to Australia early, so we&#8217;re flying the 29th, getting there October 1st. So really giving the body time to adjust,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> about travelling with her husband Keegan Swenson, also part of the Grand Prix and will represent Team USA at Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then the plan is to fly out Sunday evening because all the flights from Australia are at like 11 p.m. at night. Basically everything&#8217;s packed as Keegan [Swenson] finishes, and we go straight to the airport, so we could arrive Monday late afternoon in Bentonville and have a few days to get the body recovered ahead of Big Sugar.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Elite women will again have a dedicated start on October 10 with 78 miles (125.6km). The race is the shortest distance for the women&#8217;s race in the five-year history of UCI Gravel Worlds, the longest in 2023 at 141km in Veneto, but it has heavy climbing, 3,179 metres (10,429 feet) worth, and 84% on wide, dirt roads.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s being dubbed as the first real gravel World Championships in terms of a course. I think it&#8217;s exciting for it to be somewhere new. The fact that it&#8217;s outside of Europe adds a new element.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think you are gonna have hills and wide-open gravel, which is a little bit more like the American gravel that I&#8217;m used to. Yeah, I think it&#8217;s gonna be a really good course.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"even-an-unbound-winner-has-to-qualify-for-worlds-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even an Unbound winner has to qualify for Worlds<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-fd264492-c0e2-11f1-b74f-a534eabab774\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sofia Gomez Villafane raises her arms as she crosses the finish line at The Traka 200 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Oriol Gonzalvo \/ The Traka)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-fd26450a-c0e2-11f1-8575-ef5a89ebb163\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The squeeze play for a week of October races, separated by 10,743 miles (17,289 kilometers), was set in motion in February in Spain, where Villafa\u00f1e stayed to race a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I went to Spain in February to race Santa Val, we added a UCI gravel race so I can make sure I could qualify and not have to go through the federation and all those things. It&#8217;s definitely been a targeted race,&#8221; she explained.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She swept both stages and the overall at Santa Vall. Then she took off after the first 16km of the 97km Castell\u00f3n Gravel Race and won solo, giving her automatic qualification to Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty sure Argentina would have given me a spot, like they always have for whatever world championships I&#8217;ve had to do. But it was nice to earn it, have my ticket, and have some UCI points,&#8221; she said, though she&#8217;ll have work to do from the start grid.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean, I think I&#8217;ll be pretty far back because I&#8217;ve only done one [UCI gravel world series event]. We have riders that race almost the entire calendar, so it&#8217;s better than zero, so I&#8217;ll take it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A second trip to Santa Vall this year was the barometre for her off-season training. She said workouts don&#8217;t always &#8220;translate to good races&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean opening up the season in Santa Val like I did, I knew we had, with my coach, done a lot of hard work in the base season. So to really be able to climb and attack the way that I did at Santa Val was very rewarding. I mean, Spain just treats me really well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It may be easier to list what she didn&#8217;t win rather than what she conquered, but we&#8217;ll start with the Life Time Grand Prix. She won Sea Otter Classic Gravel and a second Unbound 200, then after seventh place at Leadville 100, she won Chequamegon MTB. Her spring in the US included wins at The Mid South and Valley of Tears and plus a second SBT GRVL in between summer Grand Prix races.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had a phenomenal start to the first half of the year, and then in the summer we kind of had to take a little bit slower. Then in the past like two weeks, I&#8217;ve been firing again. So I&#8217;m really hopeful that I&#8217;m showing up really well prepared,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, it&#8217;s more a personal battle [at Worlds]. I just have never been able to put it together at a world championship level race.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It will be her first trip to Australia, and she said the biggest appeal was the hilly course. The competition includes Life Time Grand Prix rival Karolina Migo\u0144 (Poland), who is fourth in the overall standings. Rosa Kl\u00f6ser (Germany) has withdrawn from the Grand Prix but will be in Nannup as a formidable opponent, finishing second to Villafa\u00f1e at Santa Vall but then better at Lauf Gravel Worlds with second, two spots better than Villafa\u00f1e. And then there&#8217;s a stacked Dutch team with her Specialized Off-road teammate Geerike Schreurs and former gravel World Champion and last year&#8217;s silver medallist Marianne Vos confirmed to start.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That firing on all engines was evident yet again at the fourth round of the Life Time Grand Prix in Wisconsin on September 19, where Villafa\u00f1e overcame a crash in the mud and fought back to win the elite women&#8217;s race at Chequamegon MTB. This was her third win in four series starts to give her a firm 18-point lead in the Grand Prix overall standings, now just Big Sugar remaining on her calendar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Now I just need to stay healthy and hopefully have smooth travel down there, smooth adaptation. And really just have a stress-free environment come pre-race day because that&#8217;s really what affects me the most. If there&#8217;s stress around me, then I get stressed. But if it&#8217;s chilled, then I&#8217;m chilled.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s only been five years since she started racing gravel and didn&#8217;t even have a gravel bike. She&#8217;s proven with consistent performances, versatility across disciplines and competitive drive to be the leading off-road rider for these Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So far across her dominant season, Villafa\u00f1e said wins at The Traka and Unbound Gravel 200 have been her highlights of the year, and &#8220;each race had its little moment to celebrate&#8221;. When asked if there was a third so far, she just left that open, hoping to complete the answer to that question later with a rainbow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of the UCI Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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><\/em><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/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>North American<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/p>\n<p>Racing<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fnfpSfuM3neaK9DtSrBcKF.gif\" alt=\"Jackie Tyson\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image rounded-full\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Jackie Tyson<\/p>\n<\/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\">\nSocial Links Navigation\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">North American Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years &#8211; from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. On the bike, she has climbed l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez three times (not fast), and spends time on gravel around horse farms in north Georgia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/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\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-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\">Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-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\">True grit specialists primed to challenge the run of road pro rainbow jerseys \u2013 Analysing the Gravel World Championships 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\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-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\">Is Nannup delivering the first &#8216;real&#8217; UCI Gravel World Championships?<\/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\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-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\">The gravelliest UCI Gravel World Championships of them all \u2013 A detailed look at the &#8216;perfect storm&#8217; of terrain that riders will face this October in Western Australia<\/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\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m dreaming of something beautiful&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos heads to UCI Gravel World Championships in Australia in bid to reclaim rainbow stripes<\/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\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-320-80.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\">Despite being 10 years younger than the &#8216;big kids&#8217;, multi-discipline U23 talent Kylee Hanel thriving in &#8216;long, grueling races of gravel&#8217; with Leadville looming<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B5PdyShMtgThobd2YRvnLK-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\">Canyon-SRAM strengthen sprint and Classics lineup with Georgia Baker signing<\/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\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hM6eqBnG4UJXcLPbpjxDfV-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;Perhaps it will wear off and I will go back to suffering&#8217; \u2013 World Champion Brandon McNulty still riding high as he makes impressive start to rainbow jersey reign<\/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\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NJZvZwJi8BqK42pvPgDnoX-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\">Visma-Lease a Bike promote former rider Nathan Van Hooydonck to new leading sporting director role<\/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 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eight<\/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\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YDzJVqAdxkGyexVxVxW7CE-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;In terms of potential he has everything, absolutely everything&#8217; \u2013 From late call-up to first race with pro team, Matthew Peace looks right at home<\/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\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5tDcpWgdsQzdA7smTewyg-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\">\u2018In one moment I was really believing it\u2019 &#8211; disappointed Giulio Ciccone reflects on agonising second place at European Championships<\/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 Features<\/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\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pB6zENmahitW9nEBThkRdK-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;The world caves in on you&#8217; &#8211; Ion Izagirre reflects on broken wrist injury that wrecked end of 17-year career<\/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\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PgXqfVgKPvsNBuqEjXJfR8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Clothing &amp; Shoes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Most aero socks are a waste of money: Here&#8217;s the wind tunnel verified proof<\/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\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-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\">Cycling has the fans, it just needs to monetise them \u2013 Can a new style of events and engagement help to solve cycling&#8217;s funding problem?<\/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\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-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\">North American crowds deliver, the juniors deserve better, and the Dutch get it so right \u2013\u00a0Our key takeaways from the Road World Championships 2026<\/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\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-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;We put our egos aside\u2019 \u2013 How the USA harnessed selfless teamwork to deliver Brandon McNulty to World Championships gold<\/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 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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\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-320-80.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;It&#8217;s more a personal battle&#8217; &#8211; Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e locked in all year for significant climbing and &#8216;wide open gravel&#8217; at UCI Gravel World Championships<\/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>Is Nannup delivering the first &#8216;real&#8217; UCI Gravel World Championships?<\/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 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at a best-ever 32% off in the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nGravel\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Gravel World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;It&#8217;s more a personal battle&#8217; &#8211; Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e locked in all year for significant climbing and &#8216;wide open gravel&#8217; at UCI Gravel World Championships<\/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>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJackie Tyson <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-06T22:01:48Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">After slower summer of racing, leader of Life Time Grand Prix &#8216;firing again&#8217; for October races in Australia and Arkansas<\/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] 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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-7c6454ea-c0cc-11f1-a464-7730d0e538bb\">Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e&#8217;s proverbial ladder of success has led to more than 20 major off-road victories on three continents so far, over the past five-and-a-half seasons. This year she put a bullseye on Nannup for the UCI Gravel World Championships.<\/p>\n<p>She has won multiple national titles for the two countries she represents with dual citizenship &#8211; as a collegiate racer in mountain bike and cyclo-cross for the US and MTB cross-country for Argentina. In 2021, she made history for Argentina as the first female to compete in XCO mountain bike at the Olympic Games since 2004, finishing top 25. With bigger stakes this season, she trained and raced for the ultimate rainbow reward.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7c6454ea-c0cc-11f1-a464-7730d0e538bb-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;ve actually had it targeted as an event for almost a year. It&#8217;s not a last-minute decision. It&#8217;s not something that we sprinkled in,&#8221; Villafa\u00f1e told <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em><\/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\">Since moving from the one-hour power outputs of the World Cup MTB scene to long-distance off-road challenges in 2021, the 32-year-old has signature victories at Unbound Gravel 200, The Traka 200 and Cape Epic &#8211; winning each event twice. In North America, she has a crowded trophy case with seven Belgian Waffle Ride wins, a sweep of all three editions of Valley of Tears, a win at Leadville Trail 100 and many others.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The most significant mark of being &#8216;the best&#8217; is to be a world champion, and a rainbow jersey remains elusive, in any discipline, for one of the world&#8217;s most dominant off-road cyclists.<\/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\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mmzr2QzgBHE8tLaEtw7naV-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\">Field building for far-flung 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, key Life Time Grand Prix competitors among expected starters despite Little Sugar MTB clash<\/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\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/trNo5fgL72aJ22UyY2R2cL-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">True grit specialists primed to challenge the run of road pro rainbow jerseys \u2013 Analysing the Gravel World Championships contenders<\/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\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xJwozGfLzFoKyrGcWjeXPU-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\">Is Nannup delivering the first &#8216;real&#8217; UCI Gravel World Championships?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Twice before, Villafa\u00f1e has competed at the UCI Gravel World Championships for Argentina, her best finish 12th on Italian races that did not compare to the high-elevation, long-distance courses to which she was accustomed in North America. So when the UCI Gravel Worlds announced the courses a year ago for Western Australia, Villafa\u00f1e locked in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So the decision to target this year&#8217;s World Championship actually got solidified in October, November of last year with my coach. We have been really needing to set some big goals behind the season,&#8221; Villafa\u00f1e told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>before she left the US for Australia.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-btyrvjeEvuJtZDVJ9wre9Q slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve been really committed to the Life Time Grand Prix. Knowing the past two years the [Worlds] courses really didn&#8217;t suit me, we thought the courses in Australia might.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s hard to realise that her first outing in an off-road endurance race was Crusher in the Tushar in Utah, where she didn&#8217;t even have a gravel bike. With some tyre adjustments and a larger chainring, she won solo in the 69-mile event with more than 10,000 feet of climbing. A month later, she won solo again, this time at the mixed-surface Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina using a Specialized Diverge borrowed from Katerina Nash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once she had all equipment set with Specialized Off-road and made the cut as part of the inaugural, invitation-only Life Time Grand Prix series for 2022, the upward trajectory began. She&#8217;s won the Grand Prix three times and sits at the top of the leaderboard for 2026.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3wJVEsixz2uxkQrn7Sc2Zm-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\">The gravelliest UCI Gravel World Championships of them all \u2013 A detailed look at the &#8216;perfect storm&#8217; of terrain that riders will face this October in Western Australia<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ojuqhMiy5nTbHHBMWZm3xU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I&#8217;m dreaming of something beautiful&#8217; \u2013 Marianne Vos heads to UCI Gravel World Championships in Australia in bid to reclaim rainbow stripes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Q6iy5hEpuuPTZz5g4abS6-150-80.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\">Despite being 10 years younger than the &#8216;big kids&#8217;, multi-discipline U23 talent Kylee Hanel thriving in &#8216;long, grueling races of gravel&#8217; with Leadville looming<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1c5f41e0-c0ea-11f1-ba0a-ad6fc0a990bb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BQkU7dPLchkZYSRf8wtnnm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sofia Gomez Villafa\u00f1e (right) extended her lead in the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix standings with the win at Chequamegon MTB, congratulating race runner-up Karolina Migo\u0144, who was fourth in the Grand Prix <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Life Time)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1c5f4262-c0ea-11f1-b69f-b5f47907a19e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The trip to Australia means that Villafa\u00f1e will have to miss Little Sugar MTB in Arkansas, as that round of the Life Time Grand Prix takes place on the same weekend as Worlds. It will be the one &#8216;drop race&#8217; of the series for the three-time winner, leaving the 100-mile Big Sugar Classic on October 17 to determine final standings.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We&#8217;re getting to Australia early, so we&#8217;re flying the 29th, getting there October 1st. So really giving the body time to adjust,&#8221; she told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> about travelling with her husband Keegan Swenson, also part of the Grand Prix and will represent Team USA at Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then the plan is to fly out Sunday evening because all the flights from Australia are at like 11 p.m. at night. Basically everything&#8217;s packed as Keegan [Swenson] finishes, and we go straight to the airport, so we could arrive Monday late afternoon in Bentonville and have a few days to get the body recovered ahead of Big Sugar.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Elite women will again have a dedicated start on October 10 with 78 miles (125.6km). The race is the shortest distance for the women&#8217;s race in the five-year history of UCI Gravel Worlds, the longest in 2023 at 141km in Veneto, but it has heavy climbing, 3,179 metres (10,429 feet) worth, and 84% on wide, dirt roads.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s being dubbed as the first real gravel World Championships in terms of a course. I think it&#8217;s exciting for it to be somewhere new. The fact that it&#8217;s outside of Europe adds a new element.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think you are gonna have hills and wide-open gravel, which is a little bit more like the American gravel that I&#8217;m used to. Yeah, I think it&#8217;s gonna be a really good course.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"even-an-unbound-winner-has-to-qualify-for-worlds-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Even an Unbound winner has to qualify for Worlds<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-fd264492-c0e2-11f1-b74f-a534eabab774\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myzGeXQB7bDTyE6qDvidHh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sofia Gomez Villafane raises her arms as she crosses the finish line at The Traka 200 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Oriol Gonzalvo \/ The Traka)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-fd26450a-c0e2-11f1-8575-ef5a89ebb163\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The squeeze play for a week of October races, separated by 10,743 miles (17,289 kilometers), was set in motion in February in Spain, where Villafa\u00f1e stayed to race a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I went to Spain in February to race Santa Val, we added a UCI gravel race so I can make sure I could qualify and not have to go through the federation and all those things. It&#8217;s definitely been a targeted race,&#8221; she explained.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She swept both stages and the overall at Santa Vall. Then she took off after the first 16km of the 97km Castell\u00f3n Gravel Race and won solo, giving her automatic qualification to Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty sure Argentina would have given me a spot, like they always have for whatever world championships I&#8217;ve had to do. But it was nice to earn it, have my ticket, and have some UCI points,&#8221; she said, though she&#8217;ll have work to do from the start grid.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean, I think I&#8217;ll be pretty far back because I&#8217;ve only done one [UCI gravel world series event]. We have riders that race almost the entire calendar, so it&#8217;s better than zero, so I&#8217;ll take it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A second trip to Santa Vall this year was the barometre for her off-season training. She said workouts don&#8217;t always &#8220;translate to good races&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean opening up the season in Santa Val like I did, I knew we had, with my coach, done a lot of hard work in the base season. So to really be able to climb and attack the way that I did at Santa Val was very rewarding. I mean, Spain just treats me really well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It may be easier to list what she didn&#8217;t win rather than what she conquered, but we&#8217;ll start with the Life Time Grand Prix. She won Sea Otter Classic Gravel and a second Unbound 200, then after seventh place at Leadville 100, she won Chequamegon MTB. Her spring in the US included wins at The Mid South and Valley of Tears and plus a second SBT GRVL in between summer Grand Prix races.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had a phenomenal start to the first half of the year, and then in the summer we kind of had to take a little bit slower. Then in the past like two weeks, I&#8217;ve been firing again. So I&#8217;m really hopeful that I&#8217;m showing up really well prepared,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;For me, it&#8217;s more a personal battle [at Worlds]. I just have never been able to put it together at a world championship level race.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It will be her first trip to Australia, and she said the biggest appeal was the hilly course. The competition includes Life Time Grand Prix rival Karolina Migo\u0144 (Poland), who is fourth in the overall standings. Rosa Kl\u00f6ser (Germany) has withdrawn from the Grand Prix but will be in Nannup as a formidable opponent, finishing second to Villafa\u00f1e at Santa Vall but then better at Lauf Gravel Worlds with second, two spots better than Villafa\u00f1e. And then there&#8217;s a stacked Dutch team with her Specialized Off-road teammate Geerike Schreurs and former gravel World Champion and last year&#8217;s silver medallist Marianne Vos confirmed to start.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That firing on all engines was evident yet again at the fourth round of the Life Time Grand Prix in Wisconsin on September 19, where Villafa\u00f1e overcame a crash in the mud and fought back to win the elite women&#8217;s race at Chequamegon MTB. This was her third win in four series starts to give her a firm 18-point lead in the Grand Prix overall standings, now just Big Sugar remaining on her calendar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Now I just need to stay healthy and hopefully have smooth travel down there, smooth adaptation. And really just have a stress-free environment come pre-race day because that&#8217;s really what affects me the most. If there&#8217;s stress around me, then I get stressed. But if it&#8217;s chilled, then I&#8217;m chilled.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s only been five years since she started racing gravel and didn&#8217;t even have a gravel bike. She&#8217;s proven with consistent performances, versatility across disciplines and competitive drive to be the leading off-road rider for these Worlds.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So far across her dominant season, Villafa\u00f1e said wins at The Traka and Unbound Gravel 200 have been her highlights of the year, and &#8220;each race had its little moment to celebrate&#8221;. When asked if there was a third so far, she just left that open, hoping to complete the answer to that question later with a rainbow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of the UCI Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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><\/em><em><strong>Join today<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/its-more-a-personal-battle-sofia-gomez-villafane-locked-in-all-year-for-significant-climbing-and-wide-open-gravel-at-uci-gravel-world-championships\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/utUMpyb6cRLgQFhW4PWv94-2100-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Will Vollering continue the Dutch domination or can someone exact Worlds revenge? \u2013 European Championships women&#8217;s road race contenders 2 True grit specialists primed to challenge the run of road pro rainbow jerseys \u2013 Analysing the Gravel World Championships contenders 3 The gravelliest UCI Gravel World Championships of them all \u2013 [&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-2182927","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\/2182927","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=2182927"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2182927\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2182927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2182927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2182927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}