Rally Cycling is heading to Unbound Gravel with Robin Carpenter on June 5 to take on what is widely regarded as the world’s biggest gravel event.
With 200 miles of hard pack gravel, rolling hills, and searing summer heat, Unbound Gravel will take the riders to their limits as they navigate the Kansas Prairie. Such is the difficulty of the race that 2019 champion Colin Strickland’s finish time was just a shade under 10 hours.
This year’s edition is the first gravel race that Carpenter has ever entered.
“It’s going to be a brand-new experience,” Carpenter said. “It may be my first gravel event but I know to respect the scene and its level of importance.”
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- Carpenter putting his gravel bike through the paces.
The start list is very competitive. 2019 champions Colin Strickland and Amity Rockwell return to defend their respective crowns, as well as a host of WorldTour professionals who will join Carpenter in Kansas.
WorldTour riders Kiel Reijnen and Quinn Simmons (Trek – Segafredo) will be racing, as will Matteo Jorgensen (Movistar Team) and Women’s WorldTeam rider Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon SRAM Racing) and cyclocross talent Rebecca Fahringer. Ex-professionals Ian Boswell, Peter Stetina, Laurens Ten Dam, and Thomas Dekker will also be in attendance at the mass start event.
The race only entered Carpenter’s calendar following an early exit from the team’s recent European campaign. A key race cancellation freed up the San Diegan to return home as a long-time goal came within reach.
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“I’m out there to learn and have a good time and try to see what the gravel community is all about. This is one of those special events that typically coincides with some big road events but the stars aligned and I’m excited to be on the start line.”
FloBikes will stream the race live starting at 12 pm CT on Saturday, June 5. You can also follow the riders’ progress via the live tracker here.
