Keegan Swenson and Lauren Stephens Crowned First-Ever Elite Gravel National Champions
The inaugural USA Cycling Gravel National Championships took place in Gering, Nebraska, with Keegan Swenson and Lauren Stephens emerging as the first-ever Elite Gravel National Champions. Swenson, representing Santa Cruz Bicycles/SRAM, dominated the Elite Men’s race, while Stephens, racing for EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, excelled in the Elite Women’s race.
In the Elite Men’s race, Swenson faced tough competition but managed to break away from the pack and maintain his lead. Reflecting on the challenging course and conditions, Swenson said, “It was a tough course. It was windy, and the dirt was really soft and loose. It was a strange surface all day.” Swenson crossed the finish line in first place, becoming the first-ever Elite Men’s Gravel National Champion. Alexey Vermeulen, Brennan Wertz, and Payson McElveen claimed the remaining podium spots.
Stephens’ win in the Elite Women’s race was equally impressive. As a relative newcomer to gravel racing, Stephens performed exceptionally well and secured the national title. Despite facing issues with a slow leak in her front tire, Stephens managed to stay in contention and eventually rode away from her closest competition. Reflecting on her victory, Stephens said, “It feels amazing… It was an awesome race.”
The first-ever USA Cycling Gravel National Championships attracted top gravel talent from around the country, with Elite Men and Women competing for a chance to earn thousands of dollars in prize money. The event featured multiple categories and courses of varying lengths, giving racers the opportunity to showcase their skills and endurance.
The success of the inaugural championships sets the stage for future editions of the event, with USA Cycling already planning to return to Gering in 2024. The championships highlight the growing popularity and competitiveness of gravel racing in the United States. With Swenson and Stephens as the first-ever national champions, they have cemented their names in gravel racing history.
