Unbound Gravel 2026 startlists: From Cam Jones and Taylor Phinney to Romain Bardet and Lucas Pöstlberger – here's who's racing

The 2026 edition of Unbound Gravel, the world’s premier gravel racing event, is set to take place in the Flint Hills region of Kansas, marking its 20th anniversary. This year’s race, scheduled for 30 May, is also the second round of the six-race Life Time Grand Prix series. The startlist features a compelling mix of established stars and emerging talents, promising an intense and unpredictable contest over the 200-mile course. Among the men’s field, defending champion Cam Jones is the standout name after his dominant victory in 2025, which included a remarkable 150-mile breakaway. Jones, who transitioned from mountain biking, will be closely watched alongside Simon Pellaud, his breakaway companion from last year. Other notable contenders include Bradyn Lange, the surprise winner of the 2025 US Gravel Nationals and current leader of the Life Time GP series, as well as former champions like Keegan Swenson. The race also attracts several former WorldTour professionals such as Romain Bardet, who has recently switched focus to gravel racing with promising results, and Lucas Pöstlberger, a versatile rider with a strong background in road and mountain biking. The women’s race will see last year’s winner Karolina Migoń return to defend her title after a commanding solo effort in 2025. She faces stiff competition from Lauren Stephens, a three-time US National Gravel Champion who finished third in the previous elite 200-mile event, and Rosa Klöser, the 2024 champion who is eager to improve on her fourth-place finish last year. Lauren De Crescenzo, a former winner and runner-up at Unbound, will also be in the mix, bringing experience and resilience after overcoming significant injury setbacks in her career. The presence of riders making comebacks and newcomers alike adds an extra layer of intrigue to the race. Taylor Phinney, the American former professional who is returning from retirement with an eye on the 2028 Olympics, has entered the event, signalling gravel racing’s growing appeal as a platform for riders to rebuild their careers. Meanwhile, international competitors such as Danish rider Mads Würtz Schmidt and Dutchman Ivar Slik, the first non-American winner of the men’s 200-mile race, highlight the event’s expanding global reach. With a diverse and highly competitive field, the 2026 Unbound Gravel promises to be a landmark event in the gravel racing calendar. The combination of tough terrain, strategic racing, and a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars ensures that fans can expect a thrilling spectacle as riders battle for glory on the challenging Flint Hills gravel roads.