Simon Pellaud🇨🇭 9^th^, after finishing 10^th^ last year, that's regularity 😃. Apparently he now rides for a Chinese team, and if I trust his 2025 calendar, he mixes gravel races and the Chinese/Asian road circuit, with a predominance of the first type in the first half of the season, and then the opposite.

Peter Stetina🇺🇸, 38 y.o., former rider for Trek (among other teams), 18^th^.

Eddy le Huitouze🇫🇷, 23 y.o.? Isn't he in FDJ any more??? 30^th^.

Michael Woods🇨🇦, from Cannondale/EF/IPT, 39 y.o., golly! I hadn't realised he was so old. Same place as his age: 39^th^.

[–] kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

I always forget how much tarmac is on this course. Interestingly, it looks like those sections are where the gaps start to grow. Let’s see if how long Keegan Swenson and Brendan Johnston can hold this early break

[–] Deschanel2027@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

What the heck was this, crossing the 'road'? Like a huge pheasant?

[–] kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

lol those were some wild turkeys!

[–] Deschanel2027@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

All right, thanks 😃

[–] Deschanel2027@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

I always forget how much tarmac is on this course.

I had never thought one may have the idea of organising a gravel race over Laguna Seca circuit 😃

Ah, they finally started mixing some sound from the cameras, it is more lively that way.

[–] CarstenBoll@feddit.dk 2 points 3 weeks ago

I know nothing about gravel, but I know many people enjoy riding it and it's growing, especially in the US.

A couple of Danish former road racing pros are doing really well on the gravel scene, I think. Mads Würtz Schmidt comes to mind.

[–] kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Not sure if anyone here is into gravel racing, but as the first major race in the American gravel Lifetime Grand Prix series, I think it’ll be an interesting watch

[–] Deschanel2027@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

For a gravel philistine: are the riders racing here the top of the American circuit of gravel? (I guess so, for I heard the commentator speak about National Champion(s) and an Unbound winner, but...)

[–] kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Yes, this is the top gravel series in the US, also attracting a lot of talent from around the world. Unbound is the most famous race of the series, though not everyone that races unbound is in the lifetime gp. Many of the riders come from xc mtb racing, some from a road background

[–] Deschanel2027@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

Many of the riders come from xc mtb racing, some from a road background

I heard them mention Michael Woods.

[–] Deschanel2027@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It is a bit of a pity that a 4 hours long race is decided by a 180° turn positioned 50 yards from the line...

[–] kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah the last couple miles were fun to watch, but that last 180 turn right before the finish is wack