Peter Stetina, Flavia Oliveira Parks win Grasshopper Series final, Ukiah-Mendo Gravel Epic
Round four winners secure overall titles at Grasshopper Adventure Gravel series
Peter Stetina (Canyon) claimed victory at the Ukiah-Mendo Gravel Epic – the fourth and final pro men's race in the Grasshopper Adventure Series – and also the overall, while Flavia Oliveira Parks (Specialized) won the pro women's race and the women's overall series standings.
The Californian event, which is also part of the Gravel Earth Series, covered 75 miles (120km) with 8,423 feet (2567m) of vertical ascent, utilising a private logging road through the redwood, fir and oak forests of western Mendocino County.
Stetina won the race in 3:58:48 and was the only rider to complete the course in sub-four hours. Tobin Ortenblad was second in 4:06:07 and Nick Spano was third in 4:14:54.
"The course was beautiful, and knowing that the last stretch was rough pavement, I ran a faster set-up that allowed me to make my move after the second feed zone with 50km to go. I went into a turbo-diesel mode,” Stetina said.
Oliveira Parks finished in 4:28:29, only 70 seconds ahead of Jennifer Tave. Leah Van der Linden, rounded out the podium with a finishing time of 4:54:45.
“It was a demanding course,” said Parks at the finish, also sharing that by using a hydration pack, she was able to stay hydrated and fed and push over the climbs to be conservative on the descents.
"It was one of those days that you had to ride your own pace. I knew the climbs would suit me, went hard over the climbs to have a buffer, to not be put under pressure on the descents or take unnecessary risks."
Low Gap was the first event of the Grasshopper series, won by Kate Courtney and Christopher Blevins, then it was Huffmaster, where Brennan Wertz and Oliveira Parks claimed the top spot, while the third round, the Lake Sonoma MTB, was won by Matthew Marotto and Vida Lopez Deson Roman.
In the final overall standings, Oliveira secured the victory with a total of 175 points, while runner-up Jennifer Tave and third-placed Leslie Ethridge tied with 158 points each.
In the men's standings, Stetina finished with a total of 170 points to take the win, while runner-up Ben Frederick finished with 143 points and third-placed Cassius Anderson had 133 points.
Results
Position | Rider | Time |
---|---|---|
1 | Flavia Oliveira Parks | 4:28:49 |
2 | Jennifer Tav | +1:11 |
3 | Leah van der Linden | +25:56 |
4 | Saralita Flamm | +37:31 |
5 | Lauren Brandon | +48:20 |
Position | Rider | Time |
---|---|---|
1 | Peter Stetina | 3:59:48 |
2 | Torbin Ortenblad | +7:19 |
3 | Nick Spano | +16:06 |
4 | Harry Elworthy | +16:07 |
5 | Cassius Anderson | +24:09 |
Overall Standings
Pos. | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1 | Flavia Oliveira Parks | 178 |
2 | Jennifer Tave | 158 |
3 | Leslie Ethridge | 158 |
Pos. | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1 | Peter Stetina | 170 |
2 | Ben Frederick | 143 |
3 | Cassius Andreson | 133 |
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Giro d'Italia stage 18 Live - The penultimate chance for the sprinters
178km stage from Fiera di Primiero to Padova will give the sprint teams one last test before Rome -
How to watch the 2024 Giro d'Italia
Watch all the action as Pogacar, Thomas, O'Connor, Tiberi, Bardet, Alaphilippe and more do battle in Italy -
Alexey Vermeulen still aiming for Life Time GP overall despite missing Unbound
After US Pro road nationals, Vermeulen will miss prestigious gravel race for his brother's wedding -
‘I’ve gone better than expected’ – Antonio Tiberi edges closer to Giro d’Italia white jersey
Italian eyes Ben O’Connor’s fourth place overall after spirited showing on Passo Brocon