Brendan Johnston, Alexis Skarda win titles at Utah's Salty Lizard; Unbound winner to race new Pulaski MTN-X; MAAP launches U23 initiative - Gravel Bits

Brendan Johnston and Alexis Skarda claimed victories at the Salty Lizard Gravel Race, the opening event of the Utah Gravel Series held on April 4. Johnston, riding for Giant Bikes, completed the challenging course in 4 hours, 17 minutes, and 30 seconds, narrowly edging out Josiah Wildman by ten seconds. Skarda, representing Scott Bicycles-Q36.5, won the women’s race with a time of 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 17 seconds, finishing tenth overall. Both riders used the race as preparation for the upcoming Sea Otter Gravel event, with several other notable young competitors also making strong showings in the men’s and women’s under-23 categories. The Salty Lizard course took place in Wendover, Utah, featuring over 4,000 feet of elevation gain through the Silver Island Mountains. This demanding terrain tested riders’ endurance and skill in a rugged desert environment near the Nevada border. Johnston and Skarda are among the elite athletes invited to compete in the Life Time Grand Prix, a six-race series that begins next week in Northern California. Other promising U23 riders such as Alex Charles, Ryker Brand, and Ethan Shirey are also set to participate in the Grand Prix, highlighting the depth of emerging talent in American gravel racing. In related news, the Pulaski MTN-X gravel race is set to debut on September 26 in southwest Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The event will feature three timed race distances, including a 100-mile course with a $20,000 prize purse equally divided between professional men and women. Cameron Jones, the reigning Unbound Gravel 200 champion based near Blacksburg, Virginia, has confirmed his participation. The routes, designed by local resident and former world masters time trial champion Scottie Weiss, promise a challenging and scenic experience for riders. Additionally, Australian cycling apparel brand MAAP has launched the ‘Future of Off-Road Racing Fund’ to support young athletes competing in US gravel and mountain bike events, including the Life Time Grand Prix. The initiative will provide financial aid and technical apparel to two under-23 riders annually, one male and one female, with funding sourced from sales of a dedicated supporters’ jersey. This programme aims to nurture the next generation of off-road racers, reflecting growing interest in gravel and endurance events over traditional road or cross-country disciplines. The first panel discussing the initiative will take place at the Sea Otter Awards Podium on April 17, coinciding with the Grand Prix series launch.