‘Good day until blood came out’ – The Unbound Gravel mishaps and misadventures that took their toll in 2025

Even in a year where the speeds were high and the warm weather had dried up much of the mud, there was no avoiding the mishaps and misadventures that put an end to so many riders’ Unbound Gravel hopes – 200 miles of rough terrain can take its toll no matter what conditions unfold.

There were 62 finishers in the elite women’s field of Unbound Gravel 200, and 14 DNFs, many of the names among them expected to be right at the front of the field, including Sarah Sturm, who came third at The Traka 360 earlier in the month and was seventh from among the lead group at Unbound 200 last year. Crashes took quite a toll in the women’s race.