The third edition of the Highlands Gravel Classic, US’s unique UCI Gravel World Championships qualifier in Fayetteville, Arkansas saw a good growth in number of participants compared to last year.
In the men’s race, Californian Brennan Wertz clinched victory, maintaining a slim 12-second lead over Cobe Freeborn from Colorado, following the challenging 67-mile (109km) course through the Boston Mountain range of the Ozark Mountains. Irish rider Nicolas Roche secured third place, finishing 34 seconds behind Wertz.
Minnesota’s Jenna Rinehart emerged triumphant in the women’s elite race, crossing the finish line 25 seconds ahead of Maude Farrell (CA), with Flavia Oliveira Parks (CA) securing third place.
The Farmlands race, catering to participants over 60 for men and over 50 for women, witnessed Todd Hunsaker from California and Susan Fleming from Florida emerging as the respective winners.
