Lachlan Morton and Rob Britton face off in thrilling competition, with Britton shattering the 350-mile Unbound XL record.
Cycling enthusiasts are still buzzing about Rob "the Beast" Britton's jaw-dropping domination at the Unbound XL 2025 gravel race. This Canadian endurance titan blazed through the punishing 358-mile (576 km) course, obliterating the old record with a blazing time of 17 hours, 49 minutes, and 51 seconds. In a nail-biting showdown reminiscent of a high-stakes biker duel, Britton beat the relentless challenge of Lachlan Morton, an Australian gravel powerhouse, in a thrilling battle that kept fans on their toes all night and into the early morning.
While Morton took the lead early on, the former Canadian national time trial champion was never too far behind. As the two entered the final leg of the race, the margin was so thin that the race was anyone's to win.
"It was just one long, Frickin' hell-ride," Britton told our website. "I chased him for hours and hours, and finally, I saw his taillight flash in the distance. I didn't go all out, I just tried to hold him. After the final gas station stop, he was in my sight the whole time. With about 60km left, we linked up, and we traded pulls like old rivals. We've been racing each other for years, and there's a ton of mutual respect between us."
In the end, it was the 40-year-old Canadian who crossed the finish line first, with Morton arriving six minutes later. Britton's victory was both impressive and inspiring, showcasing his unmatched tenacity and determination in the world of ultra-endurance racing.
Like Morton, Britton came from the road, racing professionally from 2010 to 2021. Throughout his career, he raced for teams like Team Raleigh and Rally Cycling, earning a reputation as a consistent GC contender with wins at the Tour of Utah and Tour of the Gila. After retiring in 2021, Britton decided to trade in the pavement for dirt and has since competed in several off-road events with increasing success.
"I guess this one proves that I'm not just a road dog," Britton told the media. "I've been dabbling in off-road events for a while now, and I think this win shows that this is where I truly belong."
Morton and Britton weren't the only pros drawn to the more adventurous side of the XL. This year's race featured a record-breaking number of competitors, including renowned gravel legends like Ted King, Heather Jackson, Lael Wilcox, and Serena Bishop Gordon. The race organizers at Life Time called it the strongest lineup in the discipline to date.
Motoring at an average pace of above 20mph, Morton broke away early in the race, zigzagging across the infamous Flint Hills. Britton was never too far behind, closing the gap steadily. The race pace was so relentless that it sent organizers into a frenzy as they scrambled to change the start/finish line setup for the 50- and 25-mile amateur races still getting set up and the thousands of riders still preparing to line up.
The Unbound Gravel XL is not your typical bike race. The self-supported event imposes strict rules that forbid interactions with anyone outside the race and mandates that riders refuel only at occasional gas stations. Participants are responsible for their own nutrition, wayfinding, and bike repairs, making the race a true test of endurance and survival skills.
With his record-shattering time, Britton joined the pantheon of legendary gravel cyclists, further cementing his reputation as one of the best in the sport. It remains to be seen what Britton will tackle next, but one thing is for sure: he'll do it with the relentless determination that has propelled him to the top of the gravel racing world.
Sports enthusiasts are intrigued by Rob "the Beast" Britton's dominance in road racing, especially his victory at the Unbound XL 2025 gravel race. After retiring from professional road racing, Britton has shown promise in off-road events, proving that he is not just a road dog but also a formidable competitor in the world of sports.
