Tom Danielson wants your sympathy for breaking the spirit of gravel racing. Don't give it to him

Two-time winner Tom Danielson (Cannondale-Garmin) hopes to repeat this year.
Tom Danielson now runs a gravel team (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Gravel racing in the United States is still in its infancy and, like all sports finding their way, is prone to bumps and hurdles. Two years ago, the ruckus in gravel focused on aero bars and their place within the new frontier of off-road racing but the latest controversy to hit this growing discipline is of far greater importance and substance. It matters, and it cuts to the core of fairness as well as the fragile and extremely important growth of women’s cycling. 

The debate centers on team tactics that were allegedly deployed by Tom Danielson’s Cinch squad as they scorched to wins in both SBT GRVL and Unbound in recent weeks. 

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Daniel Benson

Daniel Benson was the Editor in Chief at Cyclingnews.com between 2008 and 2022. Based in the UK, he joined the Cyclingnews team in 2008 as the site's first UK-based Managing Editor. In that time, he reported on over a dozen editions of the Tour de France, several World Championships, the Tour Down Under, Spring Classics, and the London 2012 Olympic Games. With the help of the excellent editorial team, he ran the coverage on Cyclingnews and has interviewed leading figures in the sport including UCI Presidents and Tour de France winners.