SBT GRVL’s Champagne Gravel Gets Grittier, Amy Charity’s Predictions and Highlights for the 2024 Event

This year sees a big shakeup for SBT GRVL. For the first time in the event’s history, the routes have changed and are more technical than ever. While SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo has always been synonymous with champagne gravel and road-style racing, as a result of these changes, event co-founder and owner Amy Charity predicts an exciting shake-up of the usual contenders this weekend.

Along with route changes, the pre event line-up has also changed. The traditional GRVL shakeout rides will be replaced with an action-packed program of engaging entertainment for all riders. Highlights include the legendary HLL CLMB presented by Canyon, the FLM FST festival presented by Velo and powered by Outside, a Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift watch party with Strava and SRAM, the Chamois Butt’r Breakfast Bash in the park and an expanded after party and DJ with Wahoo x Pas Normal Studios.

According to SBT GRVL race owner and founder Amy Charity: “This is the most competitive Elite field and most challenging Black Course we’ve ever seen at SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo, and we can’t wait to see how the day unfolds. The women’s and men’s races will be anyone’s for the taking and podium positions could easily be determined by mechanicals and bike handling skills, in addition to pure grit.”

The international Women’s Elite field is as star-studded as a World Championship event with riders such as returning SBT GRVL p/b Wahoo women’s champion - Sofia Gomez Villafañe (Specialized Off-road), Lauren De Crescenzo (LDC LLC p/b Factor), Flavia Oliveira Parks OLY (Excel Sports p/b Specialized), Emily Newsom (PAS Racing), Unbound 2023 winner Carolin Schiff (Canyon//SRAM Generation), former US National Road Champ Lauren Stephens (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB), Peta Mullens (Roxsolt Liv SRAM), and MTB XC elite international Hannah Finchamp (Orange Seal Off-Road Team).

Similar to the Elite Women’s field, it is impossible to predict the Men’s Black Course podium, due to the breadth and depth of these riders. 2X SBT GRVL p/b Wahoo champ Keegan Swenson (Santa Cruz - HTSQD) continues to dominate gravel podiums. We expect Lachlan Morton (EF Education - EasyPost) to give Swenson a run for his money fresh from his Unbound win, and Alexey Vermeulen (Jukebox Cycling), who came in third at SBT GRVL in 2023, will also be a strong contender. Danish rider Tobias Kongstad (PAS Racing) 3rd at FNLD GRVL and Czech Petr Vakoč (Canyon Northwave) winner of The Traka 200 in May 2024, will bring International power to the already world-class US gravel scene.

Starting this year, the routes will be updated annually to showcase the diverse landscapes and hundreds of miles of gravel terrain of Routt County. This year’s Black Course promises more climbing and technical challenges compared to previous editions. Although the distance has decreased by 19 miles, riders will face an additional 1,000 feet of climbing on minimally maintained roads. The course includes the particularly demanding and steep Wahooligan Pass section at mile 23, which could play a decisive role in the podium positions. SBT GRVL advises participants to consider upgrading their tire choice to at least a Schwalbe G-One RS or R 40mm (see Top Schwalbe tire choice video) for better traction, performance, and puncture resistance on this tougher terrain.

An overview of the routes can be seen here: www.sbtgrvl.com/2024courses

SBT GRVL 2024 Route Stats

Along with a sold-out Expo on Yampa Street with more than 80 vendors in downtown Steamboat Springs, highlights of the 3 days leading into SBT GRVL include:

· Fjällräven Silly Skills Clinic with Sarah Swallow

· Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Watch Party presented by Strava

· Legendary Friday night costume-themed HLL CLMB presented by Canyon on the ski slopes of Howelsen Hill with proceeds benefiting local advocacy partner The Cycle Effect

· FLM FST presented by Velo powered by Outside

· Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Watch Party presented by SRAM

· Alpine Bank Toddler Race

· Chamois Butt’r Breakfast Bash

· Yoga with Old Town Hot Springs

· Panels with Professional Athletes and Ride for Racial Justice

· Post-race party presented by Pas Normal Studios x Wahoo at the finish line on Yampa Street featuring a DJ, beverages, awards and last finisher celebration with Black Girls Do Bike NYC and Bahati Foundation

See the full schedule here: https://www.sbtgrvl.com/weekend-activities

In addition to new routes and a shake-up to the event program, SBT GRVL has dedicated the past eleven months to educating riders on the importance of safety, kindness and stewardship, culminating in their Respect the Routt campaign. SBT GRVL is paving the way for respectful rider conduct, requiring every registered rider to pledge their commitment to the SBT GRVL Oaths upon registration for this year’s event.

##ENDS##

Please let us know if you plan to attend SBT GRVL. SRAM and Zipp just launched new wheels and groupsets on August 1st and we expect to see them at the bike check and in action out on the course. Canyon will also be launching a ground-breaking line of helmets that can be seen at the event.

For further details or image requests, please get in touch.

SBT GRVL was co-founded in 2019 by ex-pro road cyclist Amy Charity. SBT GRVL is one of the biggest gravel cycling events in the USA and is renowned for the quality of gravel roads and its core value of inclusivity. In 2023, 3,000 cyclists participated in SBT GRVL from every state in the US, and 24 countries.

Charity partnered with F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and Tiffany Cromwell (professional cyclist) in 2022 to launch two additional events to the GRVL portfolio in 2023: FNLD GRVL (Finland) and RADL GRVL (Australia).

Bruce Dalton 4Seasoncollective

Email: bruce@4seasoncollective.com

Tel +4407458138916

Imagery: Press Pack