Showcased Road Technology at the Gravel National Championships Tech Exhibit
In the recently concluded British Gravel Championships 2021, the Pinarello Dogma GR made its mark as the first major gravel win for the bike since its release in July 2021. Connor Swift, riding the Pinarello Dogma GR, clinched the Elite Men's race, while the Elite Women's race saw Alice McWilliam finish 5th on an Argon 18 Dark Matter.
The Elite race course, while relatively hilly, rarely exceeded 6-7% inclines. The hilly terrain proved no match for the competitors, who demonstrated impressive endurance and skill.
Connor Swift's victory was noteworthy as he used a Dura-Ace 2x groupset with a 54/40T chainset, a strategy that seemed to work well on the course. His fellow competitor, Ben Swift, who finished second, also opted for the same tyre, Continental's Terra Speed TR, but with a slightly narrower 40mm width.
Interestingly, Kim Baptista of Spectra Racing was spotted riding an unreleased Pearson gravel bike during the event, hinting at new developments in the gravel bike market.
Ed Morgan, who secured a commendable 5th place, showed impressive normalized power, surpassing his recorded watts during the race. His Wahoo device was snapped following his finish, providing a glimpse into his race data.
Cameron Mason, another top finisher, was seen carrying a tubeless tyre plug taped to his top tube, a practical measure for any gravel race. Alistair Brownlee, a seasoned triathlete, used rubber bands to secure his water bottles during fast bumpy descents, a testament to his adaptability.
Most Elite racers opted for road shoes and pedals for the race, a choice that seems to be becoming standard in gravel racing. However, Toby Perry, who rode the Classified Rose, stood out with a large 54T chainring, a strategy that seemed to suit the hilly course.
Danny Shrosbree's bike, with its unique wacky paint job, also caught the eye. He opted for ENVE 4.5 SES road rims, a choice that could have contributed to his performance. Toby Perry's Classified Rose, like Alice McWilliam's Argon 18 Dark Matter, also utilizes the Classified system hidden in the rear hub, a technology that seems to be gaining popularity among gravel racers.
Unfortunately, the search results do not contain direct information about the participants in the Elite category or their bike models at the Gravel National Championships 2022. However, the 2021 event has undoubtedly set the stage for exciting developments and competitive races in the world of gravel cycling.
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