'I earn money because of winning Unbound' - Karolina Migoń returns to Emporia as full-time pro with a target on her back

Karolina Migoń returns to the Unbound Gravel race in Emporia as the defending champion, carrying the weight of heightened expectations and increased scrutiny. After her breakthrough victory last year, where she executed a bold solo move over 130 miles to claim the title, Migoń has shed her previous anonymity among the American gravel racing scene. She acknowledges that her presence will now be closely watched by competitors, who will be eager to neutralise any breakaway attempts she makes, marking a significant shift in the tactical landscape she faces. The transformation in Migoń’s career since her Unbound triumph has been profound. Previously balancing elite racing with a software engineering career, she has now turned professional, earning a living solely from gravel racing. This shift allows her to dedicate more time to training, recovery and race preparation, which she identifies as key advantages in such a demanding discipline. Despite this professionalisation, Migoń remains realistic about the challenges of winning Unbound again, recognising the unpredictable nature of the race, where mechanical issues and luck often play crucial roles. Migoń’s ambitions extend beyond Unbound to the broader Life Time Grand Prix, a six-race off-road series across the United States. While she feels less pressure having already won Unbound, she is focused on consistency throughout the series, which rewards versatility across different terrains and race formats. The series presents particular challenges for European riders like Migoń, who must contend with travel, jet lag, altitude and unfamiliar courses, yet she embraces the opportunity to compete more widely in the U.S. gravel scene. The evolving tactical complexity of gravel racing is another aspect Migoń navigates carefully. Although she races alongside teammates from PAS Racing, the team structure is less cohesive than some rivals, with individual sponsorships limiting cooperation. This dynamic means Migoń must balance collaboration with personal ambitions, especially as the Life Time Grand Prix standings are at stake. Her approach reflects the broader trend in gravel racing towards more calculated strategies, team tactics and shifting alliances, moving beyond the purely endurance-based contests of the past. Looking ahead to this year’s Unbound, Migoń is preparing for potentially challenging conditions, including warm weather and the possibility of mud on the Flint Hills course. She welcomes the heat but acknowledges that muddy conditions would turn the race into a survival test. As she tackles the 200-mile event once more, Migoń’s status as a marked rider and full-time professional sets the stage for a compelling defence of her title, with live coverage available for fans following the race on 30 May.