Thrilling, fast racing at The Gralloch 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gatehead of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway, May 18th 2024 - The Gralloch, the UK’s biggest gravel race, and only UCI qualifier, took place today in Scotland in ideal racing conditions on an expertly designed course that kept spectators on the edge of their seats right until Matthew Holmes and Geerike Schreurs crossed their respective finish lines.

Racing began at 9:45 AM BST under breezy but warm conditions and an extremely talented field of top international riders lined up at the start line. 

In the previous year’s event, the first climb significantly thinned the elite field, and this year was no different, with Nathan Haas (Colnago) leading the breakaway group in the first 25 minutes of racing. Alastair Brownlee (HUUB-BMC), the 2022 UK National Champion and Olympic gold medal-winning triathlete, initiated moves as a pack of 25 riders broke away before suffering a puncture not long after. Giles Drake (Wheelbase Cabtech) attacked heavily on the first major road section and used his mountain biking skills to hold the lead during the technical double-track section before Loch Skerrow.

As the riders descended into the river valley of Blackwater of Dee along Raiders Road at the 55 km mark, they took a moment to refuel while maintaining a high pace. Petr Vakoč (Canyon CLLCTV Gravel)  launched a fierce attack on the climb up Bennan Hill, reminiscent of his 2016 Brabantse Pijl victory. However, Freddy Ovett (Zwift-Specialized- MAAP) closely monitored the move, preventing any breakaway from succeeding. Notable riders in the leading group included former CX National Champion Thomas Mein (Hope Factor Racing), Ryan Christensen, Benjamin Perry (Ridley-Classified), and Matt Holmes (OGT-Orientation Marketing), the recent winner of the Lincoln GP and former Tour Down Under stage winner.

The Danish rider Tobias Kongstad (PAS Racing) encountered bad luck, dropping his chain at the bottom of a technical descent back to Raiders Road. Meanwhile, Haas was the only rider to stop for water at the aid station as the rest of the peloton pressed on through the undulating river valley. Near the turn point at the top end of the course, the rising temperatures added to the challenge, and riders had to navigate large potholes in the otherwise smooth Buckfast gravel.

With about 30 km remaining, the group was reduced to around 18 riders, including Perry, Mein, and Drake, who struggled to keep pace. Multiple attacks ensued, notably from Paul Voss and Thomas§ Bundgaard (PAS Racing). At 25 km to go, Holmes capitalized on his recent form by launching a decisive move over a Vakoč attack, securing a race-winning lead. Behind him, Vakoč and Ovett chased while Haas conserved energy for the sprint.

Matthew Holmes (OGT-Orientation Marketing) cruised into Garries Park with a comfortable 1-minute and 29-second advantage. Haas won the sprint for second place, with Vakoč completing the podium. Holmes later commented, “The Gralloch will always have a special place in my racing life, adding to my World Tour victories. This event was significantly harder than last weekend’s victory at the Lincoln GP, showing the level of European gravel racing.”

At 11:30 BST, the Elite Women's gravel race kicked off with a highly competitive international field. Early in the race, the first significant climb on the gravel course proved decisive. Team SD Worx's Dutch racer Geerike Schreurs and 2022 Australian road champion Nicole Frain (HESS Cycling) broke away from the pack around 5km into the race, showcasing their dominance over the rest of the field.

Behind the leading duo, a battle for the final podium spot unfolded among former winner Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon-Sram), Amelia Mitchell (Ribble Collective), Dutch Gravel champion Tessa Neefjes, triathlete Ruth Astle (Classified - Argon18), and Klara Sofie Skovgaard Hansen (PAS Racing). Cromwell faced chain troubles, which forced her to expend extra energy chasing back to the group after most descents. The chase group was further thinned out due to mechanical issues, punctures, and a relentless pace as they attempted to catch up with Schreurs and Frain.

In the final 20 km, Cromwell, Neefjes, and Mitchell made a concerted effort to close the gap as they passed under the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct and transitioned onto the final road section. However, it was Schreurs who made the decisive move on the final descent. She attacked and established a 29-second gap over Frain, riding solo to victory.

Geerike Schreurs commented, "I suddenly had an instinct on the final descent to attack and to push on the final kicker climbs to establish the gap. I wanted a hard race, and it's always easier to be with a smaller group on the gravel. We had no idea about the gap, but we just put our heads down for a 110 km time trial. I'm proud to take a commanding win but thanks to Nicole for working with me."
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Press Info 
Bruce Dalton 4Seasoncollective 
Email: bruce@4seasoncollective.com
Tel: +44 7468 138916

Olivia Jackson 4Seasoncollective
Email: olivia@4seasoncollective.com
Tel: +44 7449 326884

Media Pack: 
Race Images
Pre-event

NOTES TO EDITORS:
First held in 2023, The Gralloch was the first TREK UCI Gravel World Series race in the UK. 

Held on the trails of the Galloway Forest Park in South-West Scotland, in its first year, the event attracted 900 riders worldwide, with professionals and amateurs simultaneously riding the same route. As part of the World Series, The Gralloch is a qualifying event for the UCI World Championships. 

The event is organised by Red On Sports who run a number of other events in the UK, including Raiders Gravel and King’s Cup, which hosts the British Gravel Championships.
 
More information can be found at www.grallochgravel.com.