Daxton Mock and Cécile Lejeune snare Belgian Waffle Ride California wins

Daxton Mock and Cécile Lejeune both secured solo victories at the Belgian Waffle Ride California, held over a demanding 107-mile mixed terrain course near San Diego. Mock narrowly edged out Lance Haidet by just 19 seconds in a tightly contested men’s race, with Matthew Wilson finishing a further four seconds behind in third. In contrast, Lejeune dominated the women’s event, crossing the line more than 14 minutes ahead of runner-up Courtney Sherwell, who herself finished well clear of third-placed Hannah Shell. The women’s race saw an early breakaway that quickly reduced the lead group to just five riders by the 20-mile mark. Lejeune and Sherwell soon emerged as the front duo, with Lejeune breaking away solo by 35 miles and maintaining her lead to the finish. Lejeune described her ride as a sustained effort, pushing hard even as her gap widened, aiming to build a significant training load ahead of the upcoming Unbound Gravel event. Her win marked a second podium appearance in the Belgian Waffle Ride series, having placed third at the Arizona round. The men’s race unfolded more tactically, with the field splitting into smaller groups over time. Early attacks by Brennan Wertz and Thomas Fuller were eventually neutralised, leading to a lead group featuring Mock, Haidet, Wilson, Truman Glasgow, and Hayden Christian. The final sprint saw Mock claim his second consecutive victory following his recent win at Highlands Gravel, underscoring his current strong form in the gravel racing scene. The narrow margins between the top three highlighted the competitive nature of the race. Looking ahead, the Belgian Waffle Ride series continues with its third event scheduled for Cedar City, Utah, on 13 June. Both Mock and Lejeune will be riders to watch as the series progresses, with their performances in California signalling strong potential for further success. The race’s challenging terrain and mixed conditions continue to test riders’ endurance and strategy, making the BWR a key fixture in the gravel racing calendar.