The Condition
Lots of rain and even more mud: Before the race, the most important question was which tire would be the best choice. During the training rides, a huge amount of mud got stuck in the frame, necessitating regular stops to clear the mud from the chain and tires. There was also a very technical section of the track where you should ride with the widest tires possible – also to reduce the risk of punctures
The Conflict
Tires as wide as possible for the technical sections - tires as narrow as possible to ensure clearance between the tire and the puncture and to create "space" for mud.
The Solution
Long discussions with the Schwalbe Race Support team ultimately resulted in the best individual solutions for each athlete – tailored to the bike, frame, and fork. Included were Schwalbe's G-ONE RS PRO, G-ONE RX PRO, and even the Thunder Burt. With one exception, all with 45-inch tire width.
"There were several days of heavy rain beforehand - which made tire selection difficult for the athletes. On the extremely rocky terrain, a new men's record time of 08:37:09, or an average speed of almost 38 km/h, was set. Today, our new G-ONE R PRO line, with its new casing, was able to shine.
"JAKOB MASSEN PRODUCT MANAGER | DROPBARThe winners
Cameron Jones won the 200-mile (321 km) main race with a new course record of 8:37:09, ahead of Simon Pellaud – both riding G-ONE RS PRO and Schwalbe's G-ONE RX PRO (Jones with the 50 RS in front, 45 rear). Jones and Pellaud broke away together. He said: "Being at the front of one of the biggest gravel races in the world is a pretty cool feeling – especially when everything's going so well." His companion, Pellaud, summed up: "At kilometer 70, the mud was terrible, and I knew I could take advantage of it. Then I broke away with Cameron. We're both Schwalbe athletes and know each other from the Sea Otter."
In the women's race, Schwalbe also achieved a double victory over 200 miles. Karolina Migoń won the next major race after the Traka 360, following a long solo ride. Migoń said, "I didn't know if it was a stupid idea or a stroke of genius on my part. I wasn't sure until the last five kilometers if I could make it to the finish." Eight minutes behind, Cecily Decker took second place.
Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon/Sram ZondaCrypto) also rode Schwalbe tires to victory over the 100-mile race,
Rob Britton won the XL distance of 350 miles (563 km) in 17:49:51 hours, smashing the previous course record. Serena Gordon finished second in the women's race. Britton and Gordon rode Schwalbe G ONE RX PROs. Britton: "I chose the G ONE RX PROs in 45c for the front and rear. The tires were perfect. I had 1.6 bar of air pressure in the front and 1.75 bar in the rear—slightly more than usual because of all the provisions."
Rear
Front
