Unbound Gravel 2024
After my victory last year, there was no question that I would be at the start again this year. This year's Unbound Gravel race was another tough one. It was a completely different race to the year before. Who would have thought that nine of us would be sprinting for victory? In the end, I finished in sixth place. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my sprint legs at home 🤪.
The race took place in largely ideal conditions. The day was characterized by dry roads and blue skies, but the rain showers of the previous days had made some sections of the route muddy. These changeable conditions presented us riders with additional challenges.
On the 200-mile distance, which is considered the unofficial gravel world championship, Rosa Klöser and Lachlan Morton decided the victory between themselves in the final meters. Klöser came out on top in the final sprint. Both showed a great performance and proved that they are also among the best in gravel cycling.
My race was okay. I didn't feel great, but considering that I was injured just three weeks before the race, I can be proud of my performance. To make sure both knees looked the same, I also got a cut on my left knee 🤣🙈.
Around 4,000 riders took part in the various distances, which underlines the scale and importance of this event. The organizers reported record speeds of over 22 mph (35 km/h) for the men and 19.4 mph (31 km/h) for the women. These figures illustrate just how high the level of performance was this year.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the whole @canyon_road_ / @canyon crew for the hard work and good vibes throughout the weekend. You guys are the best!
Despite my injury and the challenges the race brought, I learned a lot. The Unbound Gravel race is not only a test of physical endurance, but also of mental strength. It requires a high level of concentration and willpower to master the challenging course. This year has shown me once again how important it is to never give up and to always believe in yourself, even when the circumstances are difficult.
The support from my fans and followers was particularly impressive. The encouraging messages and encouragement have helped me a lot. It's incredibly motivating to know that so many people believe in you and are behind you.
I'm already looking forward to the next challenges and I'm excited to see what the future holds. With the support of my great team and my fantastic community, I am sure that I will continue to give my best and achieve great results. Thank you to everyone who has been with me on this journey!