Lukas Pöstlberger's Preparation for Unbound Gravel, Having Already Triumphed in the Giro Stage
Austrian Cyclist Lukas Pöstlberger, a Giro D'Italia stage winner and former maglia rosa holder, is set for a foray into gravel racing. After a decade in the WorldTour peloton, the 32-year-old has joined Rose Racing Circle with a focus on the Unbound Gravel event.
Pöstlberger's decision to shift from tarmac isn't without precedent. He will be joined by a number of familiar faces, including Nathan Haas and his former teammate, Daniel Oss. The Austrian has experience tackling rough terrains, having raced mountain bikes in his youth before transitioning to road racing at 11.
His preparatory efforts have proven fruitful, with Pöstlberger managing two podium finishes in the UCI Gravel World Series in Monaco (2nd) and Austria (3rd). These notable results position him as a potential dark horse for Unbound Gravel, a race renowned for its grueling mileage, unforeseeable weather conditions, and Kansas gravel's leg-sapping nature.
To conquer the arduous challenge of Unbound, Pöstlberger will be mounted on the Rose Backroad FF, a lightweight, race-optimised gravel bike from the German brand. Key features of this purpose-built machine include a full carbon frame and integrated cockpit setup.
Weighing just over 7.5kg, the Backroad FF is impressively light for a gravel bike. Enhancing its build is a pair of Newmen Advanced SL X.R.36 wheels, weighing a mere 1385g.
The PlayStation console equivalent of shifting duties is handled by the latest SRAM Red AXS XPLR groupset, set up in a 1x configuration. Pöstlberger is using a 46T chainring up front and a 10-46T cassette at the back.
For tire selection, distribution deals are essential in Kansas politics, but for Pöstlberger, it's a matter of race-winning strategy. He will be racing on Schwalbe's G-One RS Pro tyres in a 45mm width - right at the maximum of the Backroad FF's claimed clearance. The increased width offers superior grip and comfort across Unbound's varied terrain.
Gravel racing is drawing in more pros and ex-pros, adding to the spectacle of events like Unbound 2025, which promises to be as unpredictable as ever. As Sunday's race unfolds, Pöstlberger will be a name worth watching, with his blend of experience and adaptability likely to shine in the brutal yet beautiful day of racing ahead.
Sports and road racing intersect as Austrian cyclist Lukas Pöstlberger, previously a Giro D'Italia stage winner, prepares to compete in the Unbound Gravel event, marking his entrance into gravel racing. Employing his experience in rough terrains from his mountain bike days combined with his road racing skills, Pöstlberger aims to conquer the challenging Unbound Gravel race with the lightweight Rose Backroad FF gravel bike.
