Unbound Gravel 2024 conclusions – The spirit of gravel closes the gender gap

For the first time in many years, Unbound Gravel delivered a torrent of positive stories and the word ‘mud’ was banished like a bad dream. A return to a challenging north course and dry weather delivered fast races, while fresh faces joined the fray alongside cagey veterans for suspenseful attacks and sprints. With new rules and a separate start, the pro women in the Unbound 200 finally had their day in the sun.

In the three editions of Unbound Gravel 200 before 2024, the men’s winners were decided in sprint finishes in downtown Emporia and the women’s winners rode to solo victories. Looking at just those basic outcomes, the men’s races appeared to be much more explosive and gripping, but that was not the real story and many of the pro women had asked to have their ‘own race’. They got it and it was incredible.