Gravel Champ Stephens Tackles Back-to-Back World Championships

After a grueling performance at the recent Road Worlds in Zurich, American cyclist Lauren Stephens is wasting no time in her pursuit of glory, as she sets her sights on the upcoming UCI Gravel World Championships in Leuven, Belgium. Stephens, a seasoned gravel racer, is one of several elite riders who will be competing in back-to-back world championship events, a testament to her unwavering determination and versatility as an athlete.

Powering Through the Gravel Gauntlet

Recovering and Reconnoitering

Despite the short turnaround, Stephens has taken the time to recover and familiarize herself with the off-road parcours in Leuven. She has joined her Team USA teammates in previewing the course, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Stephens' ability to adapt quickly and maintain her competitive edge is a testament to her dedication and resilience as an athlete.

Navigating the Gravel Landscape

The elite women's event at the UCI Gravel World Championships will cover a 133km route between Halle and Leuven, a distance that Stephens is well-acquainted with from her participation in mass-start gravel events in the United States. While the race distances and event rules in gravel racing are a topic of ongoing discussion, Stephens believes that the shorter women's race and separate categories will provide an excellent platform for great racing in Leuven.

Embracing the Start Grid Procedure

One aspect of the UCI Gravel World Championships that Stephens fully supports is the start grid procedure. This system, which was implemented last year, allocates positions based on a points system that takes into account a rider's performance in the Gravel World Series events, the previous year's Gravel World Championship, and their standings in various UCI rankings. Stephens believes this approach has helped to create a more competitive field, and she hopes that other gravel races will adopt similar strategies.

Tackling the Leuven Parcours

While Stephens is familiar with some parts of the Leuven course, which were used in last year's European Championships, much of the route will be new territory for her. With limited climbing, Stephens anticipates a faster race that will gradually break apart as riders jockey for position on the off-road sectors. She envisions a dynamic, cyclocross-like event, where the battles for the front of the pack will be fiercely contested.

Facing a Stacked Field

The elite women's event at the UCI Gravel World Championships is expected to feature a high-caliber field, with 137 starters set to take the line. As the reigning two-time national champion, Stephens will be among the favorites, but she acknowledges the unpredictable nature of gravel racing and the challenges of competing against riders who may not have participated in the UCI Gravel World Series events throughout the year.

Navigating Logistical Challenges

While Stephens has received strong support from USA Cycling for her participation in the Road Worlds, the same level of support has not been extended to the Gravel Worlds. This has led to several of her compatriots, including Paige Onweller and Lauren De Crescenzo, opting to forgo the trip to Leuven and instead focus on the final event of the Life Time Grand Prix series. Stephens chose not to comment on the reasons behind her teammates' decisions, but she confirmed the disparity in support between the two world championship events.

Aiming for the Podium

Despite the logistical challenges and the uncertainty of the competition, Stephens remains focused on her goal of finishing on the podium in Leuven. She has raced in the previous two editions of the UCI Gravel World Championships, finishing 6th in 2023 and 15th in 2022, and she is determined to improve upon those results. Stephens' unwavering determination and her proven track record in gravel racing make her a formidable contender in the upcoming event.