Gravel season is officially underway. Regroup Racing opened the season at Village Gravel with two podium finishes, a QOM, and plenty of dirt to shake off the cobwebs.
The start
Village Gravel officially kicked off gravel season for Regroup, with three women on the start line. Lindsay Gaesser and Destiny Carson took on the 30-mile course, while Tracey Minor lined up for the 60-miler.
It was our first chance to put the gravel bikes and the legs to the test and see what everyone was bringing into the season.
The race
For Lindsay, there was no easing into the season. The 30-miler was essentially a gravel time trial from the gun. The plan was to go hard, grab every wheel possible, and hang on for dear life. Thirty miles isn't long enough to wait around for the race to come to you.
She spent most of the race doing exactly that, digging deep to stay on wheels and taking advantage of every draft she could find. By the finish, she’d raced her way onto the overall podium and snagged the QOM along the way.
Destiny took on the fast 30-miler alongside Lindsay and put together a strong season opener of her own, finishing fifth in her age group.
Tracey, meanwhile, decided 30 miles wasn't enough and took on the rowdy 60-mile course, coming away with an age-group win and another podium for Regroup.
Three riders. Two distances. One very good start to gravel season.
Notes from the race
- The 30-mile course raced fast from the start. Finding wheels and staying attached was the name of the game.
- There wasn’t much time to settle in. This one rewarded going hard early and being willing to keep going hard.
- The longer course offered a very different day, with 60 miles of gravel and plenty more time to settle into an endurance effort.
- Early-season takeaway: the legs are there, and gravel season is going to be fun.
Three Regroup women, two distances, and one very fast day on gravel. Village Gravel was a pretty great way to kick off the season. See you at the next start line.
