Carolin Schiff took an enormous solo win in the Unbound Gravel 200 , amid some testing conditions. Riding solo for nearly 100 miles, Schiff was the only woman to finish in under 12 hours with a time of 11:46:39.
The 37-year-old German was the winner of the first round of the UCI Gravel World Series as well as the US-based Gravel Locos and continues an already stellar season with a notable win at gravel racing’s premier event.
Defending champ Sofia Gomez Villafañe finished second this year, 15 minutes back on Schiff. Third was Sarah Sturm with British rider Danni Shrosbee, only 11 seconds behind, in fourth. Sarah Lange rounded out the top five.
Villafañe put the pressure on early, establishing a one-minute gap by mile 21 utilizing the early mud to get some separation. Race favorite Lauren De Crescenzo had multiple flat tires early on taking her out of contention, Heather Jackson lost time early, also due to mechanicals
At the Eureka aid station the top four women were back together with Schiff, Villafañe, Ruth Winder and Alexis Skarda. Jenna Rinehart was sitting alone in fifth almost seven minutes down on the leaders. Eight minutes down was a large group containing ten women including Haley Smith, Nuss, Sturm, Campbell, Justine Barrow, Crystal Anthony, Lange, Jade Treffeisen, Sarah Max and Marisa Boaz.
Villafañe and Schiff got out of the aid station first and are in a leading group with Ruth and Alexis two minutes behind.
At Mile 105, Skarda reconnected with Schiff and Villafañe halfway through […]
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