Gravel Royale turns into tactical battle on Stage 2

TransRockies Gravel Royale is turning into a bit more of a strategic game than an outright battle Royale, at least in the men’s field. A duo of Quebec riders are putting the rest of the field under pressure and, on the second day of racing, the rest of the field tried to find a way to respond. In the women’s race, a very local B.C. racer is going up against two visiting U.S. racers and gaining momentum.

Elite Women: Pummel holds on to lead

In the elite women’s race, the finish order looked similar to Stage 1 but the times tell a different story. While Chelsee Pummel had clear ground between her and the field on the opening stage, Rocky Mountain local Lindsay Glassford finished well under a minute behind the leader on stage 2. Pummel still has seven minute lead going into the third and final stage, but Glassford could be gaining momentum. Oregon endurance veteran Emma Maaranen remains solidly third overall ahead of former road racer Helena Coney.

Elite Men: Cory Wallace versus the Poutine Mafia

The elite men’s race is proving to be a battle of two Quebec riders versus, well, whoever can manage to hold their wheels. On Stage 1, no one proved up to the task. On Stage 2, realizing the threat the self-proclaimed Poutine Mafia posed to the overall standings, the chasers got organized. The Quebec duo went off the front again but, this time, Cory Wallace managed to bridge up to them with some help from Fernie, B.C.’s Carter Nieuwesteeg.

Wallace held on to win the sprint for second place. But it was again Alexis Cartier taking the win, his second in two days at the TransRockies Gravel Royale. He now holds a 1:27.9 advantage over fellow curd mafioso Julien Gagne while Wallace trails 6:01.1 behind.

Michael van den Ham and Carter Nieuwesteeg round out the top five, though Toronto Hustle’s Nick Kleban is moving up the standings.

One day of racing remains at the 2024 TransRockies Gravel Royale. One day and over 1,500m of elevation gain, though, so the race could still blow wide open.

August flowers are making B.C. an especially scenic locale to suffer this week. Photo: John Gibson

Racing surfaces vary wildly this week, from paved… Photo: Jean McAllister

To very unpaved. There’s…