Gravel Racers Opt Out of World Championships: Prioritizing Domestic Opportunities

As the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships in Belgium approach, the absence of several top American gravel racers has raised eyebrows. Prominent names like Keegan Swenson, Payson McElveen, Alexey Vermeulen, Paige Onweller, and Sarah Sturm have chosen to forgo the prestigious event, opting instead to focus on domestic opportunities. This decision reflects a complex interplay of financial realities, strategic considerations, and the growing significance of the Life Time Grand Prix series for U.S. gravel professionals.

Domestic Dominance Takes Precedence Over Global Glory

Lack of USA Cycling Support

The primary factor influencing the decisions of many U.S. gravel racers is the lack of financial support from USA Cycling. According to Jim Miller, USA Cycling's chief of sports performance, the federation's budget constraints, particularly in an Olympic year, have prevented them from providing the necessary funding to support gravel athletes in 2024. This shift has left riders to bear the substantial costs of traveling to Belgium, a departure from the previous year's model where USAC covered the majority of expenses for elite team members.Paige Onweller, who competed at the 2023 gravel worlds, was one of the riders directly impacted by this change. After being offered a wild card slot for the 2024 event, she reconsidered her decision once she learned she would have to cover the $5,000 to $8,000 price tag. Onweller's pragmatic assessment was that the potential rewards of a top-20 finish at the world championships did not justify the significant financial investment, especially when she could earn more through her domestic racing commitments.

The Allure of the Life Time Grand Prix

For many U.S. gravel pros, the Life Time Grand Prix series has become the centerpiece of their season, offering greater visibility, sponsorship opportunities, and a more lucrative path to success. The series' penultimate race, The Rad, falls just one week before the gravel world championships, while the final race, Big Sugar, follows two weeks later. This scheduling conflict, combined with the need for recovery and preparation, has led several riders to prioritize the Grand Prix over the world championships.Paige Onweller, for instance, saw her standings in the Grand Prix rise significantly after a strong sixth-place finish at Chequamegon, the fourth race in the series. With a chance to win the overall Grand Prix title, Onweller decided to focus her efforts on The Rad and Big Sugar, rather than diverting resources to the world championships in Belgium.Similarly, Payson McElveen, who was part of the U.S. team at last year's gravel worlds, believes that an all-in approach is required to excel at the world championships. He didn't want to risk compromising his performance in the Grand Prix by splitting his focus, opting instead to dedicate himself fully to the domestic series.

The Importance of Team Cohesion

The lack of USA Cycling support also means that U.S. gravel racers could end up competing as individuals rather than as part of a cohesive national team. This is a significant disadvantage on the relatively flat and non-technical Belgian course, where team tactics and coordination will be crucial for success.Keegan Swenson, the highest-placing American at the 2023 gravel worlds, cited the course as the primary factor in his decision to skip the 2024 event. He emphasized that without a team of at least six riders working together, even a top-10 finish would hold little meaning compared to his goals of winning the Grand Prix.Paige Onweller echoed Swenson's concerns, noting that the U.S. gravel riders would struggle to excel on the Flanders course without the benefit of a well-developed strategy and the implementation of European-style road racing tactics. She believes that the lack of team cohesion and investment in a shared goal could ultimately undermine the American riders' chances of success.

Embracing the Global Gravel Scene

While some U.S. gravel stars have opted to forgo the world championships, others have embraced the opportunity to compete on the global stage. Brennan Wertz, the recent winner of the USA Cycling Gravel National Championships, is one such athlete who has chosen to make the trip to Belgium.Wertz's approach to the 2024 season has been unconventional, as he opted out of the Life Time Grand Prix in favor of focusing on the UCI Gravel World Series. He believes that the growth of gravel racing is a global phenomenon and that it's important to keep an eye on the European scene. Furthermore, Wertz didn't want to start the world championships in the back row again, as he did last year, and the allure of racing in the hallowed cycling region of Flanders was too great to pass up.Similarly, Whitney Allison, who was selected for Team USA through the wild card process, sees the world championships as a chance to make the most of a unique opportunity. While the financial burden of the trip may be significant, Allison believes it's worth the investment, especially given the interest of some of her sponsors in the European market.Ultimately, the decision to race or skip the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships reflects the complex considerations facing U.S. gravel professionals. As the sport continues to evolve, the balance between domestic and global opportunities will likely remain a key factor in shaping the strategies and priorities of the country's top gravel racers.