Peter Stetina (Canyon) and Kate Courtney (She Sends Racing) start their off-road seasons this Sunday at Low Hole Hopper. Each are defending champions within the opening spherical of the Grasshopper Journey Sequence in Northern California.
Stetina launches his ‘farewell tour’ on the acquainted roads of Mendocino County. Final yr, he earned his second victory at Low Hole in a two-up dash towards Matthew Wiebe.
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New Rapha Biking Membership reveals first seven riders at RADL GRVL
Rapha Biking Membership revealed a partial roster of seven riders on Friday for a brand new off-road co-ed group in 2026, together with Grand Tour podium finishers Ian Boswell of the USA and French rider Romain Bardet and New Zealander Cameron Jones, who’s the reigning Unbound Gravel 200 males’s champion and collection winner eventually yr’s Life Time Grand Prix.
They are going to be joined by Australians Tasman Nankervis, winner of the 2024 RADL GRVL, and Adam Blazevic, third at 2024 RADL GRVL, within the males’s lineup. On the ladies’s squad are former Australian highway champion Nicole Frain and former British gravel champion Danni Shrosbree.
Rapha made the announcement with a collection of occasions in Adelaide, South Australia, as the brand new alliance of gravel riders put together to start the season at RADL GRVL, all carrying new white and black RCC kits with vivid pink Rapha branding on the left sleeve. The entrance of every rider’s jersey will function their ‘privateer’ sponsors for gear and diet, with 5 totally different bike manufacturers represented.
“Adelaide marks the start of an extended and thrilling season forward. Maintain your eyes peeled as we reveal our full roster of RCC Athletes within the coming weeks,” the corporate posted on their Instagram web page.
Lauf Gravel Worlds addresses security at intersections
Organisers of the Lauf Gravel Worlds occasion in Lincoln, Nebraska, introduced this week that new safety measures might be carried out in 2026 at signed intersections the place riders on the 150-mile route might encounter vehicular site visitors.
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“On the 150-mile course, each single rider cease signal might be absolutely marshalled for athletes who common 14+ mph. Meaning educated course workers at every cease signal to help riders and guarantee clear, secure passage all through the race,” organisers posted to Instagram.
“Why this issues: Gravel using shouldn’t require guessing, rolling stops, or pointless danger. By investing in complete course marshaling, we’re prioritizing rider security, decreasing uncertainty, and permitting athletes to deal with what they got here to do – experience their finest race.”
There have been a number of shut calls between cyclists and motor autos at intersections on the agricultural roads in Nebraska. Organisers have been requested on Instagram about whether or not volunteers had the ability to cease site visitors or if this needed to be carried out by native public security officers. Particular particulars weren’t confirmed, solely that cyclists could be directed to cease at intersections when wanted.
The Nebraska race, on August 22, returns to the Gravel Earth Sequence this yr and likewise boasts one of many richest one-day payouts for cyclists in North America, now with a prize pool of $150,000, sponsored by GoodLife Vitamin growing the professional prizes by 50% from final yr.
SBT GRVL presents junior growth scholarships for 2026
A Junior Growth Scholarship Program has been launched by the organisers of SBT GRVL offered by Wahoo, with purposes open on-line via February 14. Six junior athletes, three ladies and three males underneath the age of 19, might be chosen to obtain complimentary entries on the Black Course for the June 28 race. This is identical occasion on which professional riders will compete from Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
“The way forward for gravel racing depends upon creating actual alternatives for younger athletes. For younger athletes racing on the highway or mountain, there’s a transparent growth path, however that journey is much less outlined in gravel biking,” stated Amy Charity, founding associate and CEO of SBT GRVL.
“We created this scholarship program to supply junior riders entry to a world-class occasion, useful race expertise, and a chance to showcase their expertise in entrance of the business’s high sponsors, media and athletes.”
