High country gravel terrain, camping, and intense racing competitions - Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Cameron Jones bag GC victories at Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder event
The Oregon Trail Gravel stage race, part of the prestigious Gravel Earth Series, recently concluded after five grueling days of competition. The event, held from June 25-29, saw cyclists tackle the challenging terrain of the Cascade Mountains, covering a total distance of 360 miles (580km) with a staggering 29,500 feet (9,000 metres) of elevation gain.
In the elite men's category, Cameron Jones (Scott Sports USA) secured the General Classification (GC) title, completing the race in an impressive time of 17 hours, 21 minutes, 59 seconds. Jones dominated the race, finishing 10 minutes and 16 seconds ahead of Rob Britton (Factor-OVRLND p/b Castelli SOG), with Skyler Taylor (Above Category-Sarto-Q36.5) and Payson McElveen (Allied Cycle Works) following closely behind, 2 minutes and 18 seconds and 19 minutes and 13 seconds respectively.
Meanwhile, in the elite women's category, Sofia Gomez Villafañe (PAS Racing-Orbea) emerged victorious, finishing with a time of 20 hours, 9 minutes, 14 seconds. Gomez Villafañe demonstrated her resilience, finishing 2 minutes and 35 seconds ahead of Cécile Lejeune, with Sarah Sturm and Danni Shrosbree completing the top four. Sturm crossed the finish line 13 minutes behind Gomez Villafañe, while Shrosbree finished 5 minutes and 24 seconds later.
The Oregon Trail Gravel stage race is renowned for its all-inclusive cycling vacation atmosphere, with camping and community celebrations each night. This year's event was no exception, attracting professional racers and gravel enthusiasts alike who embraced the challenging terrain and camaraderie.
The Gravel Earth Series, now in its third year, is a global gravel cycling competition consisting of 25 events in 15 countries. Top-ranked events like the Oregon Trail Gravel, The Traka 360, Ranxo Gravel, Migration Gravel Race, and Lauf Gravel Worlds offer more than 20% points to competitors, making them some of the most sought-after races in the series. The series also recently expanded into Latin America with the addition of the Brutal Gravel Race in Colombia.
The Gravel Earth Series strikes a balance between high-level competition and immersive outdoor adventure, attracting both professional racers and gravel enthusiasts. Past overall winners include notable cyclists such as Simen Nordahl Svendsen and Karolina Migoń, reflecting the competitive prestige of the series.
With its challenging courses, scenic landscapes, and vibrant community, the Oregon Trail Gravel stage race continues to be a highlight of the Gravel Earth Series calendar. As the series moves forward, it promises to deliver more exciting races and adventures for gravel cycling enthusiasts worldwide.
In the exhilarating world of racing, Cameron Jones (Scott Sports USA) emerged triumphant in the Oregon Trail Gravel stage race's elite men's category, not only winning the General Classification title but also setting an impressive record of 17 hours, 21 minutes, 59 seconds. Meanwhile, the elite women's category saw Sofia Gomez Villafañe (PAS Racing-Orbea) dominating with a time of 20 hours, 9 minutes, 14 seconds, showcasing her resilience and superiority in sports racing events.
