The main group at Unbound Gravel (Image credit: Wil Matthews)
A friend of cyclocross racer Caroline Mani asked her why she was riding her first Unbound Gravel 200 race this weekend, knowing the five-time French champion usually competed in the winter in the much shorter cyclocross calendar, where events are 50 minutes, not 10 hours. When Mani explained that the event is popular and good for sponsorship, her friend was not convinced, asking, ‘Would you ask a sprinter runner to become a marathon runner?’
Mani still has a lot of explaining to do, as do a dozen or so cyclocross specialists who are competing in the Unbound Gravel 100 or 200 this year. Most of them are in Emporia, Kansas for the longer event because it is part of the Life Time Grand Prix . Invitations were sent, and the challenge was accepted.
Among the field in the 200 are Pan-American cyclocross champions Raylyn Nuss and Eric Brunner, US cyclocross single speed champion and runner-up, respectively, Kerry Werner and Tobin Ortenblad, perennial US mainstays Rebecca Fahringer and Crystal Anthony as well as Mani. Three-time Canadian ‘cross champion Maghalie Rochette made the trip to Emporia, but has pulled out of a start due to a lingering back injury.
Why the crossover from ‘cross to gravel? It is about economics.
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