This year UNBOUD is full of familiar faces, not only American cyclists but also European ones. We leave you an article that Emma Porter wrote about this evolution: Emma Porter talks to us about the evolution of UNBOUND.
Riding again will be Keegan Swenson, who returns to defend her title for another consecutive year, and Germany's Carolin Schiff, the 2023 winner who arrives in good form after her victory earlier this month in The Traka 200. In fact, all winners of The Traka will be in this edition of UNBOUND. At the start line we will see Karolina Migoń, who also took top honors in the Traka 360 event, Petr Vakoč, who crossed the finish line first in the Traka 200, and Peter Stetina who won the Traka 360.
There are many other names such as Sofia Gómez Villafane, Matt Beers, Matej Mohorič or Sarah Sturm that stand out among the elite lists of this UNBOUND. We leave you the link to two articles, one with the favorites to follow from the men's category and another with the favorites of the female category.
“With 200-mile champions Carolin Schiff and Keegan Swenson returning to defend their titles, and cycling legends like Greg Van Avermaet joining the race for the first time… They guarantee an epic day on Saturday, June 1, and solidify UNBOUND’s reputation Gravel as a global destination for endurance cycling”
Kimo Seymour, President of Life Time Media & Events
We have asked some of the big favorites what they expect for this year's UNBOUND and this is what they told us the following.
Carolin Schiff
The time change is a bit complicated. I've been on my bike all day here in Kansas. And I think Saturday will be a very interesting race. We have a lot of strong women at the starting line and the course looks tough. The weather is still unclear and this will also play a role (like last year). I expect tough competition and that the strongest women who do not have mechanical problems win. I'm in very good shape and I like this race, so I definitely think I have a chance to win again, but in this race anything can happen. I will do my best as always and I hope it will be enough on Saturday. I'm really excited to compete because it's a great adventure.
Sofia Gomez Villafane
I'm not really sure what to expect to be honest. It's my first year heading north, so this adds a new level of uncertainty, but it's also the third year I've participated and the third year that the start for women is different (mass start in 2022, small difference in 2023, big time difference in 2024). I think the weather will play a part as many of the minimally maintained roads become impassable in the humidity and now that we are heading north, punctures are more likely to occur. We also have a bigger European presence this year, so I'm excited to compete against those girls who have been taking Europe by storm.
Geerike Schreurs
I am very excited to compete in the Unbound. It's going to be a tough race with long stretches of gravel and a real battle against wind and mud. Of course, after the Gralloch, I am very motivated to be here and try to repeat my success, but you can never underestimate anyone. It's great to see 65 women starting in elite and I think each of us starts with the intention of winning. I would tell the other runners: “Let's take advantage of our separate starts and show the world a great battle to win.”
Brendan Johnston
I expect carnage in the Unbound! It's going to be muddy. This will have a great impact on the event and the cyclists' equipment. I think the lead group will be 10 or 15 riders most of the day, until riders like Mahoric, Beers and Keegan start attacking. I hope to be part of this front group and compete in the final sprint for victory.
Jasper Ockeloen
I think team preparation and luck are going to be key parts to success. I'm glad it's my fourth time, so I'm trying to apply all the lessons learned in the previous years to this year's race. With the good results I've had so far this season, I'm happy to be able to approach this race without too much pressure.
Sarah Zoey Sturm
I feel ready to start. This year I hope it will be similar to last year, where you have to know how to deal with adverse conditions and solve problems. I've never run the northern route, but I've heard the chance of getting a puncture is high, so it looks like the winner this year will be the strongest and luckiest runner. I think if I have a good day I'll be in contention for the medal, but hey, it's 200 miles so a lot can happen! I would tell other female runners to make sure you know how to change a flat and NEVER give up. Last year I was in 7th place with less than 40 miles to go and I came in 3rd!
Matilda Raynolds
This is my first Unbound and it is the first time I have done such a long and hard distance. The event is known for mechanical problems, and you're on your own, no one else can get you out of the situation, so that makes me nervous. I've come a long way and it's been a big investment, of course I would love to be competitive, but ultimately I want to achieve it. This year I compete against myself: my mind, my skills, my legs. The only thing I would say to other girls is to have the best mechanical luck. You don't want someone to win or lose because of a problem, but I'm finally realizing that it's just as important as having resilience. I'm nervous to get started and experience one of the biggest cycling events in the world.