Unbound Gravel 2024
Latest News from the Race
-
Gravel's newest star Torbjørn Røed leaves road behind with Unbound in mind
Conclusion of Tripel Crown of Gravel takes place this Sunday then Norwegian resets for Unbound Gravel -
Matt Beers: Coming off Cape Epic win, I'm pretty confident for Sea Otter
South African gravel and marathon MTB champion focused on Life Time Grand Prix do-over in 2024 -
Decluttering mass starts, rewarding podium riders top changes to 2024 Life Time Grand Prix
Life Time marketing director talks about creating 'fandom' for cycling with more real-time race content, but live streaming on hold
Date | June 1, 2024 |
Start location | Emporia, Kansas |
Finish location | Emporia, Kansas |
Previous edition | Unbound Gravel 2023 |
About Unbound Gravel
Unbound Gravel is held on the first weekend in June with five racing distances, including the signature 200-mile event on Saturday with an early morning mass-start for men and women in downtown Emporia, Kansas. All the routes take in rugged roads in the Flint Hills of Kansas, defined by sharp rocks and hilly terrain across the Tallgrass Prairie in the middle of the US.
Unbound Gravel 100 sets out in the hours after the 200 mile event, providing a competitive, shorter-distance option, designed to serve as a “stepping stone” towards the Unbound Gravel 200. There are also shorter distances and a junior race, plus, at the other extreme, there is the 350 mile long Unbound Gravel XL which starts on Friday.
Unique aspects of the races include the remote roads used for routes through vast prairie lands, the checkpoints participants must locate to follow the correct course, and a “do not call us” policy for breakdowns and injuries.
Unbound Gravel 200 is also the first gravel race in the seven event Life Time Grand Prix series and the second stop after the cross-country race at Sea Otter, Fuego XL.
In 2023 Carolin Schiff won the elite women's category of Unbound Gravel 200, forging clear of 2022 winner Sofia Gomez Villafañe with 60 miles of the race still left. Villafañe, in second, was the leading Life Time Grand Prix rider.
Keegan Swenson took out the men's elite race, on his way to the overall Life Time Grand Prix series victory as well, sprinting to victory out of the leading group of seven. Petr Vakoc was second and Lachlan Morton third.
In the Unbound Gravel 100 19-year-old David Brower won the men’s race while Tiffany Cromwell rode across the line solo to claim the women's title.
Join Cyclingnews' coverage of the 2024 Unbound Gravel with race reports, news and analysis.
Date | Race | Start time |
---|---|---|
June 1, 2024 | Elite Men Unbound 200 | 6:00 am CDT |
June 1, 2024 | Elite Women Unbound 200 | 6:05 am CDT |
June 1, 2024 | Unbound Gravel 100 | 7:30 am CDT |
Races
-
Unbound Gravel 20241 June 2024 | Kansas
-
LTGP #2 - Unbound 200 pro women | Emporia - Emporia2024-06-01 200mile
-
LTGP #2 - Unbound 200 pro men | Emporia - Emporia2024-06-01 200mile
-
Unbound 100 - pro women and men | Emporia - Emporia2024-06-01 100mile
-
Latest Content on the Race
Adam Roberge defends pack tactics as part of 'spirit of gravel' after Gravel Locos
By Jackie Tyson published
News Without freedom to use tactics Canadian says 'we can organize gravel time trials'
Peter Stetina: Paydirt is a passion, it's mayhem, it's like your wedding day
By Jackie Tyson published
News Unbound Gravel gets serious after tyre toss bonus seconds at Stetina's Paydirt decide women's winner
Laurens ten Dam preps for third Unbound 200 at Gravel Locos
By Jackie Tyson published
News 'Unbound is my big goal' says Dutchman about his alternative racing for 2023
Adam Blazevic: Gravel, going all in and carving out a place in the top-tier
By Simone Giuliani published
News Australian looks to consolidate powerful position in UCI Gravel World Series in second season, starting with Nannup Saturday
Nathan Haas' 2023 gravel guide for new races, toughest races and wild adventures
By Nathan Haas published
Blog One-day rides and far-flung adventures stretch from Canada, Finland, Kenya and Kyrgyzstan
Unbound Gravel 200 bans aerobars and adds start groups for elite racers
By Jackie Tyson published
News Riders will be vetted at start lines to enforce new rules in 2023
Nathan Haas blog: Misunderstanding heritage at Unbound
By Nathan Haas last updated
Blog Nathan Haas walks us through his Unbound 2022 bike and kit inspired by the Kansas flag
Nathan Haas blog: Unbound, the pro-ification of gravel
By Nathan Haas last updated
Blog Australian weighs whether the 'spirit of gravel' is being ruined
Top News on the Race
-
Lauren De Crescenzo: Gravel feels like the Super Bowl of cycling
US rider begins 2024 campaign at Border Wars race in Georgia with new privateer pursuit -
Unbound Gravel schedules first-ever qualifier event in Belgium August 11
Flanders Classics' Heathland Gravel to dish out 50 spots to 2025 edition of high-demand Emporia, Kansas event -
Van Avermaet receives 'Congratulations Greg, you're IN' message for Unbound 200
Olympic Champion turns from chasing Classics to grinding gravel in 2024 and a first trip to the Flint Hills in June
-
Does drafting ruin the spirit of gravel? Top women to discuss with Unbound organisers
Dedicated starts for pro women, rules barring inter-field drafting among newest gravel debates headed into 2024 -
Lottery open for 2024 Unbound Gravel entries through January 20
Random selection process underway for Unbound 200 and three other route distances set for northerly Kansas route -
Maghalie Rochette: Unbound 200 is still a stretch, cyclocross is what I love
Canadian to miss road nationals and will focus on BC Bike Race, UCI Gravel World Championships and maybe E-MTB Worlds
-
Team AMANI riders continue healing process at Unbound Gravel
Langat finishes fourth in XL 350 as Kenyan riders 'stepped up to play a role' following 2022 death of founder Sule Kangangi -
'Thank you Howard' – support riders make the difference with wheel swap for Finsterwald in Unbound Gravel
Specialized Off Road teammate Grotts preserves Finsterwald's chance to contest finishing sprint from group of seven -
Broken gear, barbed wire, mud wreak havoc on Unbound Gravel 200 favourites
From defending champion Ivar Slik to 2021 winner Lauren De Crescenzo, 2023 race edition went askew after just 10 miles of racing for many contenders
Related Features
-
5 conclusions from a muddy and muddled Unbound Gravel
Mass starts create massive troubles in mud, pro fields surge with international riders and new stars, keeping the amateur experience alive -
Tech gallery: Aero tricks and puncture-repair hacks aplenty at Unbound Gravel 2023
Handlebar hacks, puncture-repair prep, a paint stirrer, an unreleased groupset and even a Beagle called Sherman -
What is gravel? How geology dictates tech choices for gravel races
A geologist's look at cycling's undefinable surface, and an inside line on bike setup from Ian Boswell -
Good riddance to aero bars - Pros agree on ban at Unbound Gravel
Lighter bikes, increased safety, clear boundaries, less confusion and tension are just a few of the reasons why riders agree to new rule for elite categories -
Tech to expect at the 2023 Unbound gravel race
Rule changes are bringing rider position to the forefront