Courtney Sherwell has a formidable record of gravel victories in Australia, with a Soiled Warrny win in 2022, victory on the UCI Gravel World Sequence in Beechworth, Gravelista, in 2023 and this yr a win on the new Uncorked Gravel race, however now its time to department out into the hub of the worldwide gravel racing scene, the US.
The 35-year-old rider from Bendigo is about to tackle her first race of the Belgian Waffle Journey’s Tripel Crown, a part of the rising move of Australians abroad to up the ante by taking up a brand new group of races and rivals that embody these recognised among the many world’s finest within the self-discipline.
“They’re main the best way with gravel occasions within the U.S., and it was simply one thing that, as a result of I really like gravel a lot and it fits me, I wished to expertise,” Sherwell instructed Cyclingnews after a house gravel race, Sutton Grange Vineyard -Uncorked, close to Bendigo final month which she gained.
“There’s a lot participation within the US, and even simply the spectators there as nicely so, I feel it might be actually good to get the vibe and expertise … and hopefully additionally get some good outcomes too.”
Sherwell, is amongst a bunch of Australians lining up on Saturday March 2 on the first BWR of the Tripel Crown in Arizona. Additionally venturing over to the occasion are the nation’s gravel champion Connor Sens in addition to Gravelista and Seven podium placer Cassia Boglio. It’s clear that because the lure of gravel racing is rising in Australia, so is the lure to the highest gamers of testing themselves on a bigger stage.
The LifeTime GrandPrix sequence has been a pathway for some, with the likes of Brendan Johnston, Tasman Nankervis and Ella Bloor having participating final yr whereas Johnston, Peta Mullens and the Australian-based rider from New Zealand Samara Sheppard made it into the sequence in 2024. Although, the mixture of it being tough to get a spot, and in addition requiring an extended – to not point out costly – interval away nonetheless have meant that various riders from the nation have adopted a unique route, Sherwell included.
“So, I did apply for the Lifetime Grand Prix and I did wish to be accepted, however sadly I wasn’t. However that is kind of reshuffled my focus a bit bit,” mentioned Sherwell who on reflection was completely satisfied to go for the shorter stint required from the dedication to the Tripel Crown. BWR Utah will likely be held in Cedar Metropolis on April 6, and BWR California will full the set on April 28, with the highest professional women and men sharing equally from the minimal prize purse set at $30,000.
On high of the Tripel Crown, Sherwell additionally plans to experience the True Grit Gravel Epic in Utah and Sea Otter Gravel in California earlier than returning to Australia on the finish of April. Although that actually is not the extent of the worldwide ambitions for the rider, who can also be at dwelling on the highway and mountain bike, because it appears she has gone all in on gravel.
The outcomes shortly began flowing for the rider as soon as she ventured into the self-discipline, as even in these races she did not win, Sherwell has been remarkably constant in her skill to ship close to the highest of the outcomes sheet. On high of successful the 2022 opening version of the 246km Soiled Warrny she additionally got here second in 2023 – demonstrating a dependable skill to excel because the distances stretch which is an element that may possible maintain her in good stead within the US.
Sherwell additionally has proved herself repeatedly within the UCI Gravel World Sequence, taking to the rostrum in any respect three of the Australian occasions within the sequence she competed in. These World Sequence rounds act as qualifiers for the UCI Gravel World Championships, to be held in Belgium this yr, and the Victorian who claimed victory on the first 2024 qualifier in Beechworth hopes to be representing Australia within the elite class on the rainbow jersey race in October.
Then, all going nicely, the gravel journey ought to proceed into 2025, with Sherwell hoping to return to the US as soon as once more and check out an entire new set of occasions. The plan is to tackle a number of the key races that she had beforehand been eyeing off when she lodged her Life Time Grand Prix software, however with the advantage of the flexibleness to select and select which of them.
“I wish to do a number of the races inside the sequence, so Unbound and doubtlessly Leadville and Massive Sugar appears like loads of enjoyable as nicely,” mentioned Sherwell. “So possibly it will likely be a matter of going into the lottery and hopefully doing these subsequent yr – specializing in a unique kind of race plan.”
One, that’s certain to maintain the journey alive and hopefully additionally the outcomes rolling.
