Lauren De Crescenzo

Lauren De Crescenzo is an accomplished gravel racer, having gained fame as the 2021 Unbound Gravel 200 champion and racking up wins at won The MidSouth (three times), The Rad Dirt Fest and podiums at Crusher in the Tushar and Big Sugar Gravel. In 2016, she suffered a nearly fatal, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a professional road race. While the bike almost took her live, she says the bike saved her life as a rehabilitation tool in the following years and she found a new love– gravel and off-road racing. She now wants to be a role model of tenacity, grit, and hard work to promote the vital message of TBI awareness, positively impacting the lives of those affected by TBIs.

Latest articles by Lauren De Crescenzo

'The Leadville nobody knew' – Revised course eliminates final 'gut punch' of Powerline climb but Columbine and elevation keep you humble

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Member Exclusive Lauren De Crescenzo appraises how Leadville Trail 100 MTB pre-race uncertainties concluded with incredibly fast speeds, less feed zone chaos and a course worthy of banned drop bars

Member Exclusive
Unbound Gravel 200 has the history but 'The Traka pushed me into entirely new kinds of discomfort' – Lauren De Crescenzo compares the two titans of gravel

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Emporia race focuses on one distance with 'a washing machine of talent' as The Traka splits the field

Racing
Flat-bars or drop-bars at Leadville Trail 100 MTB? This high-altitude endurance race doesn't have a handlebar problem, it has an identity crisis

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Opinion 'Courses dictate our equipment choices' as Lauren De Crescenzo and other riders dissect the 100 miles of Leadville regarding safety issues, equipment setups and a solution

7 Comments
Opinion
Logistics, money and career sustainability - Why some US riders are saying 'no' to UCI Gravel World Championships

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Opinion Lauren De Crescenzo explains why riders place priority on Life Time Grand Prix series and races

9 Comments
Opinion
Lauren De Crescenzo finished sixth at the 2025 Unbound Gravel 200 amid an array of challenges at the world's biggest gravel race
Elite riders feeling the squeeze in Kansas amid lightly vetted fields and chaotic aid stations - Unbound Gravel 'needs standards, not red tape'

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Opinion 'Gravel is not the quirky cousin of road racing anymore. I want it to be fair, safe and professional,' says former Unbound 200 champion Lauren De Crescenzo

32 Comments
Opinion
The elite women's field, no men in sight, on one of the sandy climbs at 2025 Sea Otter Classic Gravel
Drawing a line in the gravel - Will anti-drafting rules create structure or friction in Life Time Grand Prix competitions?

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Opinion Lauren De Crescenzo shares thoughts on enforcement and punishment for new regulations to make races 'more fair'

Opinion
A view of the smoke-filled sky beyond the start/finish of The Mid South in downtown Stillwater
Wildfire emergency that caused The Mid South cancellation sparks shift in gravel racing perspective

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Opinion Three-time champion Lauren De Crescenzo shares scary scenario from recent non-race experience in Oklahoma, while Ted King and Chase Wark complete Mega Mid South to raise funds

Opinion
Lauren De Crescenzo took a selfie on a ride at the late-fall 2024 training camp in Kenya with Team Amani
Lauren De Crescenzo: Team Amani women gravel riders 'redefine what’s possible' in Africa

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Opinion US gravel rider shares photos and lessons learned after spending 12 days with Black Mamba Development women

Opinion
Lauren De Crescenzo reacts to winning inaugural The Growler road race at the finish, greeted by race founder Levi Leipheimer
Clogged valves, broken chains, cheap motels - The lessons to pivot and persevere a first year of privateering

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

News Lauren De Crescenzo recaps the lessons learned and 'fire extinguisher' moments with independent racing programme for gravel, mountain bike and road racing

News
Lauren De Crescenzo
Lauren De Crescenzo and her tough decision to miss UCI Gravel World Championships

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Gravel In her own words, the gravel star explains the complex picture of the Gravel World Championships for the US team

Gravel
Lauren De Crescenzo among elite riders trying to process oxygen to make it up Powerline climb at Leadville Trail 100 MTB 2024
High altitude and flat bars - A recipe for disaster at Leadville 100 if you don’t follow the science

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Opinion Lack of oxygen at 10,000 feet of elevation is ‘very real’ as third round Life Time Grand Prix takes its toll

Opinion
Lauren De Crescenzo at Unbound Gravel 200 2024
A proper women's race – Historic day in Emporia at Unbound Gravel

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Blog Extended gaps around women's start end with unprecedented sprint finish though 'it’s still imperfect, but it’s the best we can do for now'

Blog
Lauren De Crescenzo reacts to winning the women's division of 2024 The Growler, at the finish line next to event founder Levi Leipheimer
Road prep and adapting to new rules as Life Time Grand Prix begins at Fuego XL mountain bike event

By Lauren De Crescenzo Published

Opinion Lauren De Crescenzo uses The Growler for confidence boost ride ahead of prestigious off-road series

Opinion