Mads Würtz Schmidt continues off-road dominance at Ranxo Gravel one week after Unbound 200 plunder, Life Time Grand Prix expands U23 rosters, and more - Gravel Bits

Mads Würtz Schmidt has extended his remarkable run of form in the gravel racing scene with a commanding solo victory at the 2026 Ranxo Gravel in Spain, just a week after his triumph at the Unbound Gravel 200. The European gravel champion completed the 160km course in 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 53 seconds, finishing five minutes clear of a chasing pack led by Kevin Kühn. Rosa van Doorn, the European marathon mountain bike champion, also claimed a notable win in the elite women’s race, edging out Morgan Aguirre in a closely contested finish. The Ranxo Gravel event, traditionally the final round of the Gravel Earth Series, has been repositioned as the fifth race in the 2026 calendar, with the season concluding in Belgium in September. Würtz Schmidt’s victory marks his fourth consecutive win in the series this year, solidifying his lead in the men’s overall standings, while Axelle Dubau-Prevot currently tops the women’s leaderboard. The race’s challenging route, featuring nearly 2,000 metres of elevation gain, continues to attract top talent and plays a pivotal role in the European gravel racing circuit. In the United States, the FoCo Fondo gravel race in Fort Collins, Colorado, is set to introduce a live stream for its elite races during the event’s 11th edition on 19 July. The race offers a substantial prize purse of $15,000 across multiple categories and distances, including the demanding 120-mile Triple Dog Dare route. The event’s non-profit arm, Friends of FoCo Fondo, has expanded its para-cycling scholarship programme to support 30 athletes in 2026, providing essential resources to foster greater inclusivity in gravel racing. Meanwhile, the Life Time Grand Prix (LTGP) has announced an expanded U23 roster for its second season, increasing the number of young riders from 20 to 32 across men’s and women’s divisions. This growth reflects the depth of emerging talent and the organisers’ commitment to developing the next generation of elite off-road cyclists. Selected riders will compete in the remaining Grand Prix events, with top performers earning places in the 2027 elite LTGP lineup, supported by race entry fee coverage to reduce financial barriers for young athletes balancing sport, education, and work.