Riders react to new SBT GRVL course
Feedback mostly positive; feed zones are an area for improvement
A new course at SBT GRVL this year brought fast and tactical racing to the Colorado ‘monument of gravel’ Sunday. Brennan Wertz and Melisa Rollins powered ahead to take victories on the day, but one big area of curiosity for myself was with the course.
What did pro riders think of the new course, a nearly 40 mile circuit raced three times for a total of 116 miles and a moderate amount of climbing? The verdict is in, and the feedback is mostly positive.
Previous SBT winner (and second place finisher this year) Keegan Swenson is not someone who minces his words when he doesn’t like something, but the dominant gravel racer gave SBT kudos on the course in a social media post.
“I quite enjoyed racing on a closed circuit,” Swenson wrote. “Not sure I’ve never felt so safe in a gravel race. Kudos to the @sbtgrvl crew for this. Hopefully we get more of this kind of racing in the future.”
Another man who is often outspoken on the state of gravel as a discipline is Pete Stetina, who began an Instagram post by writing that “truthfully, I was a bit pessimistic coming into SBT GRVL.” Stetina explained that he loves big, exploratory days on the bike, and he has always been an advocate for mass starts.
“A separate day and circuit format had me wondering why I was showing up,” Stetina said.
But Stetina’s opinion changed for the better after the race.
“In the end I’m happy to report the race was engaging and enjoyable and the road control was smooth operations,” Stetina said. “In a sink or swim year, SBT folks went full thrashing freestyle.”
Lauren De Crescenzo also sung the praises of the new, safer format.
“Really liked the new format this year,” she said. “The women’s-only start, the rolling enclosure, and how well-organized and safe everything felt. Thanks SBT GRVL for continuing to raise the bar for women’s gravel racing.”
One area of criticism came from Swenson and Alexey Vermeulen, who host a post-race debrief show on YouTube, specifically about the race’s feed zones. The feed zones were neutral, meaning racers could only take race-provided water and nutrition products. Personal support crews were not allowed.
This has always been the case at SBT, but Vermeulen pointed out that this format doesn't make sense on a lapped course. Think of any road race, mountain bike race, or even cyclocross: you are allowed to have your own crew support you in the feed zones at all of those types of races.
The racers mentioned that it wasn’t a problem this year (because they were in an early break all day) but it could have been chaos if a peloton of 30 riders were trying to grab bottles from only 10 staff at the neutral feed.
“Just let us have a feed zone like every other bike race in the country, and rest of the world,” Swenson said. “That would be cool next year if you guys want to do that for us Steamboat.”
Swenson and Vermeulen did add that they approached the race organizers about changing this rule, but the idea was apparently shot down.
One sticking point was the nutrition provided was from the supplier Maurten, and Maurten’s logo was on the water bottles that the race handed out. No pro rider wants the logo of a competing sponsor on their bike or body, especially if they do well in the race.
“I work with The Feed,” Vermeulen said. “You [Swenson] work with Never Second….It’s a weird moment.”
This wasn’t as much of an issue for De Crescenzo.
“I especially liked that we all had to rely on neutral support instead of bringing our own crews. Not everyone has a pit crew or full team van (myself included), and I think this setup gives newer riders or solo racers a fair shot at a top result.”
I wasn’t at the race, so I can’t comment on the overall vibe of the weekend, which I am curious about. I’m also curious how fans feel about the new format. Did you enjoy following the racing? Let me know in the comments!