We also dive into Pogačar’s Vuelta dominance, gravel and dirt in Grand Tours, the incredible crowd scene at Les Gets, the return of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic and Manayunk Wall, a new 24-hour gravel race in Southern California, recovery tools, Lifetime Grand Prix coverage and some classic downhill stories.

We wrap it up with our Good Idea File: the hotel that opened its doors to the Vuelta peloton during a brutal hailstorm — then declined payment for helping them out.

The Service Course Report — Season 2, Episode 47.

Ed, Kurt and Derin discuss Alaphilippe’s panache, attacking style and legacy before diving into Keegan Swenson’s sixth Leadville Trail 100 victory, Quinn Simmons’ Leadville experiment, the evolving Lifetime race broadcasts and why mountain-bike skills still matter.

Also on Episode 46: Jonas Vingegaard’s future, the Tour de France Femmes, racing crashes, Specialized’s race-only tire factory in Germany, aero tech at Leadville, the spirit of Downieville and SILCA’s move into tires.

Plus some bike washing, Tahoe riding and the usual tangents.

A new two-race qualifying format at the Sea Otter Classic will determine 14 spots in both the women’s and men’s 2027 Life Time Grand Prix fields, while the championship expands back to seven races with the return of The Rad Dirt Fest.

Life Time is changing the path into the 2027 Life Time Grand Prix, introducing a new Sea Otter Grand Prix Qualifier that will give riders the opportunity to race their way into the Series during the Life Time Sea Otter Classic weekend.

The new format evolves the Wild Card program introduced in 2025, moving qualification earlier in the season and bringing the entire process within Sea Otter.

14 Grand Prix Spots Up for Grabs at Sea Otter

The remaining 14 spots in both the women’s and men’s Grand Prix fields will be determined by performances in two races during the 2027 Life Time Sea Otter Classic:

• Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel — Thursday

• Life Time Sea Otter Classic Fuego XL — Saturday

Eligible riders competing in the Pro category must race both events to have an opportunity to qualify for the Grand Prix.

Life Time says full details regarding the scoring system, eligibility requirements and tie-breaking procedures will be announced ahead of the 2027 season.

The Sea Otter Classic Gravel race will carry additional significance because it will also serve as the opening round of the seven-event 2027 Life Time Grand Prix championship.

For riders who successfully qualify for the Grand Prix, the points they earn at Sea Otter Gravel will count toward their overall Series score.

If a qualifying athlete later withdraws from the Series, Life Time may roll that position down to the next eligible rider based on the Sea Otter Qualifier results.

New Pro Category Vetting Process Coming

Life Time will also introduce a new Pro category vetting process in September.

Riders seeking access to the Pro fields at Life Time events in 2027 will be required to apply through the new process.

Additional details are expected to be announced separately.

Seven-Race Life Time Grand Prix Returns in 2027

The Life Time Grand Prix will return for its sixth edition in 2027, expanding back to seven races and bringing Life Time Rad Dirt Fest back into the championship.

The 2027 Life Time Grand Prix calendar will include:

1. Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel

2. Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano

3. Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik

4. Life Time Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival

5. Life Time Rad Dirt Fest

6. Life Time Little Sugar MTB

7. Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik

The Rad Dirt Fest previously appeared in the Grand Prix in 2023 and 2024 and will return as the fifth round of the 2027 championship, taking riders back to the Spanish Peaks around Trinidad, Colorado.

“Following conversations with our athletes, it was clear The Rad remained a favorite because of the course and the kind of racing it creates,” said Seymour. “As we looked at returning the Grand Prix to seven events, bringing The Rad back into the championship was a natural fit.”

Six Starts Required

Grand Prix athletes will be required to start at least six of the seven races in 2027.

Their six best results will count toward the overall championship standings.

That means riders who start all seven races will be able to drop their lowest-scoring result.

The format adds an interesting strategic element to the championship while still rewarding riders capable of making it through the entire calendar.

Why Announce the 2027 Format Now?

Life Time is releasing the format before the conclusion of the 2026 season to give current Grand Prix riders clarity about what is at stake during the remaining races.

It also gives athletes currently outside the Grand Prix time to prepare for the Sea Otter Grand Prix Qualifier and build their early-season schedules around the opportunity.

“Our goal is to continue raising the competitive standard of the Grand Prix while creating a clear pathway into the Series for athletes to pursue,” said Seymour.

“The top athletes from this season will earn their opportunity to return, the next group will have the chance to race their way in at Sea Otter, and from there we’ll have 25 women and 25 men taking on seven of the most demanding off-road races in the country.”

Remaining 2026 Life Time Grand Prix Races

Before attention turns fully toward 2027, four races remain in the current championship:

• Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik — Saturday, August 15, 2026

• Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival — Saturday, September 19, 2026

• Life Time Little Sugar MTB — Sunday, October 11, 2026

• Life Time Big Sugar Gravel — Saturday, October 17, 2026

The changes set up an intriguing 2027 season.

Rather than relying entirely on preseason selection, riders outside the Grand Prix will have a clearly defined opportunity to earn their place through racing — and they’ll have to prove themselves across both gravel and mountain bike disciplines during one of the biggest cycling weekends of the year.

For more information on the Life Time Grand Prix, visit LifeTimeGrandPrix.com.

Quinn Simmons is heading to Leadville.

Fresh off a successful Tour de France campaign, the reigning U.S. national road champion will line up Saturday, August 15, for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik, adding another major name to an already stacked field at one of America’s most iconic mountain bike races.

Simmons will join the Life Time Grand Prix athlete roster for the Race Across the Sky, where he’ll face defending Leadville champion Keegan Swenson and many of the top off-road racers in the country.

The full start lists for the men’s and women’s races can be found here.

It makes for one of the more interesting storylines of this year’s Leadville.

Simmons is best known for his aggressive style on the road, but he grew up racing mountain bikes in Colorado before turning his attention toward professional road racing. Leadville gives him a chance to return to those roots—only this time over more than 100 miles, at extreme altitude, and against riders who specialize in exactly this type of racing.

And he isn’t exactly easing his way back into mountain biking.

Road Champion vs. America’s Best Off-Road Racers

Leadville has become considerably more competitive in recent years as the Life Time Grand Prix has attracted elite gravel and mountain bike racers from around the world.

At the center of it all is Swenson, who has established himself as the benchmark of American endurance off-road racing.

Now add Simmons.

The contrast should make Saturday particularly interesting: one of America’s most aggressive WorldTour road racers stepping directly from the European road season into a high-altitude mountain bike race against athletes who have built their seasons around the Grand Prix.

The obvious question is simple:

How close can Quinn Simmons get to Keegan Swenson at Leadville?

Fitness probably won’t be the issue.

Leadville, however, requires much more than a big engine. Altitude, pacing, fueling, equipment, positioning and the long climb toward Columbine can punish even the strongest riders.

That’s what makes Simmons’ entry so intriguing.

The Race Across the Sky

The Leadville Race Series traces its roots to 1983, when the original Leadville Trail 100 began with just 45 runners.

Today, the series includes five running events, three mountain bike events, two camps and six events in the Leadville Qualifying Series. Thousands of endurance athletes now make the pilgrimage to Leadville, Colorado, each year with the goal of competing in what has become known simply as “The Race Across the Sky.”

The 2026 race marks the 32nd anniversary of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB.

And the numbers explain why Leadville has earned its reputation.

2026 Leadville Course

The course is a 101.3-mile out-and-back route through the Colorado Rockies, with riders spending virtually the entire day at altitude.

The route is made up primarily of rough forest service roads and high-alpine two-track, with sections of singletrack mixed in.

Course Stats

• Distance: 101.3 miles

• Elevation gain: 9,897 feet

• Lowest point: 9,219 feet

• Highest point: 12,499 feet

• High point: Columbine Mine

Riders can view the full 2026 course on Ride With GPS.

That combination of distance and altitude is what separates Leadville from most endurance mountain bike races.

There’s very little opportunity to recover. Riders have to manage their effort early enough to survive the return trip while still having enough left for the final miles back toward Leadville.

The Records

Two of the biggest names in endurance mountain biking own the existing Leadville course records:

Rider Time Men’s Record Keegan Swenson (2023)5:43:29

Women’s Record Annika Langvad (2015)6:59:23

There is an important caveat for 2026: those records will not apply this year because of the altered course.

So while Swenson will return as both the defending champion and existing record holder, this year’s race will stand somewhat on its own.

Riders to Watch

Simmons may generate plenty of attention, but he’ll be joining deep men’s and women’s elite fields.

The official elite start lists are available here:

• Elite Women Start List

• Elite Men Start List

For Simmons, the race presents a fascinating test.

He has the WorldTour engine.

He knows Colorado.

He comes from a mountain bike background.

But Leadville rewards experience, efficiency and an ability to manage the race at altitude for more than five hours.

And across from him will be Swenson, a rider who has proven repeatedly that this type of racing is his specialty.

Life Time Grand Prix Heads Into Its Final Stretch

Leadville is also the next stop in the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix.

The remaining events are:

• Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik — Saturday, August 15

• Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival — Saturday, September 19

• Life Time Little Sugar MTB — Sunday, October 11

• Life Time Big Sugar Gravel — Saturday, October 17

With Simmons now joining the Leadville field, Saturday’s race just became even more interesting.

A Tour de France rider.

The U.S. national road champion.

The defending Leadville champion and course record holder.

More than 100 miles.

Nearly 10,000 feet of climbing.

And a high point approaching 12,500 feet.

The Race Across the Sky should be must-watch racing this weekend.

More information about the Leadville Race Series is available at LeadvilleRaceSeries.com.

More information on the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix is available at LifeTimeGrandPrix.com, with coverage and updates across YouTube, Instagram, X and Facebook.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Ed, Kurt and Derin debate whether the next leap will come from bike geometry and rider position, AI and technology, recovery, nutrition or training.

Then we get into the Tour de France Femmes and the incredible depth of the racing, including a closer look at Lorena Wiebes’ dominant sprint technique.

Kurt also conducts a highly unofficial real-world aero test of the Specialized Tarmac SL9, we talk Garmin Varia and rider safety, DS begins his rehab journey, and the conversation turns to the current state of cycling media, clickbait and paywalls.

Plus, a quick look at the newly modified Leadville Trail 100 MTB course.

It’s Episode 45 of the Service Course Report.

The route has been modified because of ongoing wildfires in the region. Race organizers worked closely with local authorities to develop a revised course that allows riders to safely take on the historic race while avoiding areas affected by the Willow Fire.

The Race Across the Sky returns for its 32nd edition with a route that closely follows the traditional course, covering 102.1 miles with 9,916 feet of elevation gain.

Updated 2026 Leadville Trail 100 MTB course map and elevation profile.

Riders will head west from Harrison Avenue as usual, first taking on the St. Kevin’s climb before traveling back east around Turquoise Lake to avoid the areas affected by the Willow Fire.

The following sections will not be included in the updated course:

• Hagerman Pass Road

• Sugarloaf Mountain

• Powerline

Athletes will rejoin the original course at the bottom of the Powerline descent before heading into the Outward Bound aid station at mile 22.7.

Riders will then ascend the iconic Columbine climb before heading back to Leadville along the race’s famous out-and-back course.

View the complete updated course on Ride with GPS.

Elite Feed Zones

As announced earlier in the season, elite riders will have two dedicated feed zones located at the Pipeline and Lost Canyon aid stations.

View the elite feed-zone announcement here.

Additional media information is expected next week.

Remaining 2026 Life Time Grand Prix Events

Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik
Saturday, August 15, 2026

Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival
Saturday, September 19, 2026

Life Time Little Sugar MTB
Sunday, October 11, 2026

Life Time Big Sugar Gravel
Saturday, October 17, 2026

Shelley recounts her beginnings giving free massages to young Santa Barbara racers, being recruited by legendary U.S. coach Eddie Borysewicz and caring for the American road team during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

She then takes us behind the scenes of 7-Eleven’s groundbreaking European campaigns, including the 1985 Giro d’Italia and the team’s first Tour de France in 1986. Along the way, Shelley shares unforgettable stories involving Alexi Grewal, Bob Roll, Mike Tyson, Olympic host housing, homemade race food, European soigneurs and the daily improvisation required to keep a professional cycling team moving.

She also reflects on working with La Vie Claire, Toshiba and TVM—and what it was like to be a pioneering woman inside the European professional peloton.

Episode 44 of the Service Course Report Podcast, hosted by Ed Philbrick, Kurt Stockton and Darren Stockton.

The crew also discusses Uno-X, Paul Seixas and Decathlon, Richard Carapaz, Sepp Kuss, rider safety, Tour crowds, cooling strategies, UCI officiating and the clean-sport conversation. Plus, DS checks in from injured reserve, KS returns from Nashville, and Ed makes the case for 35 mm road tires.

What was your favorite moment of the Tour? Send us your questions, rate the show and share Episode 43 with another cyclist.

The tradeoff comes when the trail opens onto a long fire road, pavement transfer or fast, exposed section. Holding the ends of a 740- or 760-millimeter handlebar leaves the rider’s chest and arms sitting squarely in the wind.

San Diego-based component manufacturer 5DEV has introduced an interesting solution: the Shredville Flatbar Mounts.

This is not simply another pair of inner bar ends. The adapters allow riders to install road or gravel brake-shift levers on a mountain bike flat bar, creating a legitimate road-hood-style position with braking and shifting controls at their fingertips.

Road and Gravel Hoods on a Mountain Bike Flat Bar

The concept combines two cockpit styles.

The bike retains its flat or riser handlebar, preserving the width and control expected from a modern mountain bike. Mounted inside the primary grips and controls, the 5DEV adapters position road or gravel levers where a rider’s hands would normally rest on the hoods of a drop-bar bike.

The adapters are not limited to SRAM AXS. According to 5DEV, they are designed to work with any compatible road or gravel hood, giving riders greater flexibility when selecting brake and shifting components.

That narrower position could allow riders to bring their elbows inward, lower their upper body, and reduce some of the aerodynamic penalty associated with wide mountain bike bars.

More importantly, the hoods can serve as functional controls. The rider is not simply resting their hands on an accessory and then moving back to the standard grips whenever they need to brake or shift.

That makes this a much more complete solution for:

• Cross-country and marathon mountain bike racing

• Long gravel and fire-road sections

• Smooth, high-speed descents

• Headwinds and pavement transfers

• Riders seeking another hand position during endurance events

• Custom flat-bar bikes using road or gravel braking and shifting components

The ability to brake and shift from the narrower position could separate the 5DEV system from traditional inner bar ends, TOGS and other secondary hand-position accessories.

A Possible Answer to Leadville’s Drop-Bar Ban?

The timing is especially interesting.

Beginning in 2026, the Leadville Race Series prohibits road and gravel drop bars at its mountain bike events. Competitors must use flat or riser-style handlebars.

On the surface, the 5DEV system looks like a clever workaround.

The handlebar itself remains a flat mountain bike bar, but the road or gravel hoods provide the narrower hand position and functional controls that made drop-bar mountain bikes appealing in the first place.

However, there is an important catch.

Leadville’s rules also prohibit aerobars and clip-on inner bars. Traditional bar ends mounted outside the grips remain legal, while race officials retain final authority over equipment eligibility.

The 5DEV adapters are not conventional aerobars, and they hold actual brake-shift controls rather than serving only as extensions. Still, because they create an additional hand position inside the primary grips, officials could potentially interpret them as prohibited inner bars.

Before building a Leadville race bike around this system, a rider should send photographs and product information to the race director and obtain a written equipment ruling.

Legal or not, the product demonstrates how quickly bicycle designers respond when race organizers close one equipment door.

The Best of Both Cockpits?

Leadville is an unusual mountain bike race. The course includes long dirt-road climbs, high-speed open sections and a pavement finish where aerodynamic efficiency can matter. It also includes terrain where genuine mountain bike control is essential.

That is why drop-bar mountain bikes became competitive there in the first place.

5DEV’s solution may offer some of the same benefits while preserving a true flat-bar cockpit. Riders could use the standard grips for technical terrain and move to the hoods during long climbs, exposed roads, and fast, predictable sections.

The real-world questions will involve fit and execution.

How natural is the transition between the two positions? How much cockpit space is required? Can the lever angle be adjusted for different riders? How does braking feel from the narrower position? How cleanly can the selected road or gravel controls be integrated with a mountain bike drivetrain?

Component compatibility will also matter. While the adapter may physically accept different road and gravel hoods, riders will still need to confirm that their chosen levers, brakes, and drivetrain can work together as a complete system.

And, of course, does the narrower position produce a measurable aerodynamic benefit?

Designed and Manufactured in San Diego

5DEV is the bicycle component division of San Diego manufacturing company 5th Axis. The company designs and machines premium components locally, including cranks, stems, pedals, chainrings and other cockpit and drivetrain products.

The Shredville Flatbar Mounts fit the company’s reputation for looking at familiar components differently.

Mountain bikers want wide handlebars when the trail demands control. That does not mean they need to hold the widest part of those bars for every mile of a five-, seven- or ten-hour race.

By adapting road and gravel hoods to a mountain bike flat bar, 5DEV may have created more than another hand-position accessory. It may have produced a new category of hybrid mountain bike cockpit.

Whether Leadville considers it a clever legal innovation or an inner bar by another name remains to be seen.

Either way, this is one product we want to ride.

Learn more: 5DEV Shredville Flatbar Mounts

Ed, Kurt, and Derin watch the race unfold and react in real time to the attacks, breakaway, team strategy, GC action, and defining moments of the stage.

Ed and Derin debate whether a lack of sleep may have contributed to the crash, whether Tadej Pogačar gifted the stage to Remco Evenepoel, and what Vingegaard’s withdrawal means for the final week.

Plus: Remco’s climbing form, Quinn Simmons’ attacks, the battle for the podium, time-trial predictions, and the latest Tour rumors.

Ed, Kurt and DS compare the criticism surrounding Tadej Pogačar with Nino Schurter’s extraordinary mountain bike career, then explore the complicated line between innovation, suspicion and respect in professional cycling.

The crew breaks down Tour de France racing and sprinting, UAE’s marginal gains, short cranks, aerodynamics, wearable health data and the latest equipment trends. They also discuss Kate Courtney’s move to the WorldTour, DS’s knee injury, Tim Merlier’s sprint position, Quinn Simmons’ memorable family moment and the old-school intensity of Superweek racing.

The episode closes with wider road tires, Pidcock’s shifter problem, crashes on lime-treated Tour roads, the Radial race app, UCI video review and why professional cycling needs stronger concussion protocols.

Thanks to Lazer Helmets, the first official sponsor of the Service Course Report.

Follow the show, share the episode and send us your questions and vintage racing photos.

We unveil our new Lazer Helmets, dive into the first week of the Tour de France, discuss Roglič's future, review Haskell Canyon Bike Park, debate e-bike legislation, remember industry friend Ming Tan, and share stories from some of cycling's most iconic races.

We discuss her National Championship victory, Quinn Simmons, Tour de Suisse, Mathieu van der Poel's UCI fine, BWR Montana's controversial finish, MTB World Cup racing, and Ed's Quick n Dirty finale. Plus, we revisit our memories from watching the legendary 1984 Olympic road race in person.

In Episode 37 of the Service Course Report, Ed Philbrick, Kurt Stockton, and DS discuss the rise of cycling's next generation, led by rising stars like Isaac del Toro and the sport's increasingly younger winners. We break down the Critérium du Dauphiné, Del Toro's dominant performance, Quinn Simmons' stage win, Christopher Blevins' return to World Cup racing, and what modern sports science is doing to change the sport.

Topics include:

• Is cycling becoming a young rider's game?

• Del Toro's Dauphiné breakthrough

• Quinn Simmons' impressive form

• Christopher Blevins returns after injury

• Concussion protocol and rider safety

• How training, nutrition, and recovery continue to evolve

• Father's Day rides, college graduation stories, and more

🎙️ Subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a cycling friend.

#Cycling #TourdeFrance #IsaacDelToro #Dauphine #GravelCycling #MountainBiking #ServiceCourseReport #ChristopherBlevins #QuinnSimmons #CyclingPodcast

Ed, Kurt, and Derin discuss gravel racing, road racing, Giro Women, Tulsa Tough, training, suffering versus quitting, and why resilience remains one of cycling's most important skills.

When Mads Würtz Schmidt crossed the finish line first at Unbound Gravel 2026, many gravel fans were witnessing the arrival of a new star. In reality, the Danish rider has been building toward this moment for more than a decade, with victories spanning World Championships, WorldTour races, national championships, and now gravel’s biggest prize.

A World Champion Before Gravel

Born in Randers, Denmark, Würtz Schmidt developed through Denmark’s strong cycling system and quickly established himself as one of the sport’s top young talents. His breakthrough came in 2015 when he won the U23 World Time Trial Championship, showcasing the powerful engine and racecraft that would become hallmarks of his career.

He followed that with victories at the Tour of Denmark and Danish U23 national titles, earning a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising all-around riders.

Making It in the WorldTour

Würtz Schmidt turned professional and spent several seasons racing at cycling’s highest level with teams including Katusha-Alpecin and later Israel Start-Up Nation (now Israel-Premier Tech).

During his road career, he competed in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España, gaining valuable experience in the sport’s biggest races. While often working in support roles, he demonstrated a knack for breakaways, time trials, and difficult one-day races.

His biggest road victory came in 2021 at Tirreno-Adriatico, one of the most prestigious week-long stage races on the calendar and often considered a key preparation event for the spring Classics.

On Stage 6, Würtz Schmidt made the day’s decisive breakaway and survived a relentless chase from the peloton. After nearly 170 kilometers of racing, the stage came down to a five-rider sprint along Italy’s Adriatic coast. The Dane timed his effort perfectly, outsprinting Brent Van Moer and Simone Velasco for his first WorldTour victory.

The win was significant not only because it came against some of the world’s best riders, but because it validated years of persistence at the highest level of professional cycling. Looking back, many of the traits that delivered that Tirreno stage win—patience, tactical awareness, endurance, and raw power—are the same qualities that would eventually make him one of the world’s best gravel racers.

Later that same season, he added another major achievement by winning the Danish National Road Championship.

Finding a Home in Gravel

As gravel racing grew, Würtz Schmidt discovered a discipline perfectly suited to his strengths.

His combination of:

• World-class endurance

• Time-trial power

• Tactical intelligence

• Technical bike handling

• Ability to perform after six, eight, or even nine hours of racing

made him a natural fit for the longest events in the sport.

In 2025, he captured the European Gravel Championship, confirming his place among the world’s elite off-road racers.

Then came 2026.

Just weeks before Unbound, Würtz Schmidt dominated The Traka 360 in Spain, winning by more than 11 minutes and signaling that he was entering the biggest gravel race of the year in exceptional form.

Conquering Unbound 2026

The 20th edition of Unbound Gravel delivered classic Kansas chaos: rain, wind, lightning, mud, mechanicals, and attrition.

Würtz Schmidt found himself at the front alongside Specialized Off-Road teammate Keegan Swenson. The pair worked together as conditions deteriorated and the field exploded behind them.

Then came the pivotal moment of the race.

With roughly 80 miles remaining, Würtz Schmidt suffered a puncture that threatened to end his day. In one of the defining moments of modern gravel racing, Swenson handed over his own wheel and sacrificed his personal chances for victory.

Würtz Schmidt capitalized on the opportunity, riding clear and eventually reaching Emporia solo to claim the biggest victory of his career.

Afterward, he was quick to acknowledge his teammate’s role.

“I couldn’t have won without Keegan.”

A Career Full Circle

At 31 years old, Würtz Schmidt’s resume now spans nearly every level of the sport:

• U23 World Time Trial Champion

• Danish National Road Champion

• Tirreno-Adriatico Stage Winner

• European Gravel Champion

• Unbound Gravel Champion

His victory at Unbound wasn’t an overnight success story. It was the culmination of years spent racing Grand Tours, learning how to survive in breakaways, developing world-class endurance, and adapting those skills to gravel’s biggest stage.

For longtime cycling fans, Unbound 2026 wasn’t the arrival of a new talent. It was the moment one of cycling’s most versatile riders finally added gravel’s most prestigious title to an already impressive career.

When Mads Würtz Schmidt crossed the finish line first at Unbound Gravel 2026, many gravel fans were witnessing the arrival of a new star. In reality, the Danish rider has been building toward this moment for more than a decade, with victories spanning World Championships, WorldTour races, national championships, and now gravel’s biggest prize.

A World Champion Before Gravel

Born in Randers, Denmark, Würtz Schmidt developed through Denmark’s strong cycling system and quickly established himself as one of the sport’s top young talents. His breakthrough came in 2015 when he won the U23 World Time Trial Championship, showcasing the powerful engine and racecraft that would become hallmarks of his career.

He followed that with victories at the Tour of Denmark and Danish U23 national titles, earning a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising all-around riders.

Making It in the WorldTour

Würtz Schmidt turned professional and spent several seasons racing at cycling’s highest level with teams including Katusha-Alpecin and later Israel Start-Up Nation (now Israel-Premier Tech).

During his road career, he competed in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España, gaining valuable experience in the sport’s biggest races. While often working in support roles, he demonstrated a knack for breakaways, time trials, and difficult one-day races.

His biggest road victory came in 2021 at Tirreno-Adriatico, one of the most prestigious week-long stage races on the calendar and often considered a key preparation event for the spring Classics.

On Stage 6, Würtz Schmidt made the day’s decisive breakaway and survived a relentless chase from the peloton. After nearly 170 kilometers of racing, the stage came down to a five-rider sprint along Italy’s Adriatic coast. The Dane timed his effort perfectly, outsprinting Brent Van Moer and Simone Velasco for his first WorldTour victory.

The win was significant not only because it came against some of the world’s best riders, but because it validated years of persistence at the highest level of professional cycling. Looking back, many of the traits that delivered that Tirreno stage win—patience, tactical awareness, endurance, and raw power—are the same qualities that would eventually make him one of the world’s best gravel racers.

Later that same season, he added another major achievement by winning the Danish National Road Championship.

Finding a Home in Gravel

As gravel racing grew, Würtz Schmidt discovered a discipline perfectly suited to his strengths.

His combination of:

• World-class endurance

• Time-trial power

• Tactical intelligence

• Technical bike handling

• Ability to perform after six, eight, or even nine hours of racing

made him a natural fit for the longest events in the sport.

In 2025, he captured the European Gravel Championship, confirming his place among the world’s elite off-road racers.

Then came 2026.

Just weeks before Unbound, Würtz Schmidt dominated The Traka 360 in Spain, winning by more than 11 minutes and signaling that he was entering the biggest gravel race of the year in exceptional form.

Conquering Unbound 2026

The 20th edition of Unbound Gravel delivered classic Kansas chaos: rain, wind, lightning, mud, mechanicals, and attrition.

Würtz Schmidt found himself at the front alongside Specialized Off-Road teammate Keegan Swenson. The pair worked together as conditions deteriorated and the field exploded behind them.

Then came the pivotal moment of the race.

With roughly 80 miles remaining, Würtz Schmidt suffered a puncture that threatened to end his day. In one of the defining moments of modern gravel racing, Swenson handed over his own wheel and sacrificed his personal chances for victory.

Würtz Schmidt capitalized on the opportunity, riding clear and eventually reaching Emporia solo to claim the biggest victory of his career.

Afterward, he was quick to acknowledge his teammate’s role.

“I couldn’t have won without Keegan.”

A Career Full Circle

At 31 years old, Würtz Schmidt’s resume now spans nearly every level of the sport:

• U23 World Time Trial Champion

• Danish National Road Champion

• Tirreno-Adriatico Stage Winner

• European Gravel Champion

• Unbound Gravel Champion

His victory at Unbound wasn’t an overnight success story. It was the culmination of years spent racing Grand Tours, learning how to survive in breakaways, developing world-class endurance, and adapting those skills to gravel’s biggest stage.

For longtime cycling fans, Unbound 2026 wasn’t the arrival of a new talent. It was the moment one of cycling’s most versatile riders finally added gravel’s most prestigious title to an already impressive career.

Photo: Life Time Grand Prix / Unbound Gravel

We also look at the growing influence of team tactics in gravel racing, Sofia Gomez Villafañe's victory, and what the future of elite gravel competition might look like.

Finally, Kurt reflects on the life and career of former professional cyclist Andy Bishop, sharing personal stories from their racing days together.

The roster for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix is officially expanding.

Following a dramatic edition of UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano in Emporia, Life Time has selected seven Wild Card athletes who will join the Grand Prix series for the remainder of the season.

While much of the attention on race day focused on overall winners Sofía Gómez Villafañe and Matt Beers, who both claimed maximum points and now lead the Grand Prix standings, another battle was unfolding deeper in the field. Several athletes were racing not only for UNBOUND results but also for the opportunity to earn one of the coveted Wild Card positions.

On the men’s side, three athletes earned their way onto the roster:

• Martins Blums (Latvia)

• Skyler Taylor (California, USA)

• Matthew Wilson (New Zealand)

The women’s selections include:

• Danni Shrosbree (United Kingdom)

• Jenna Rinehart (Minnesota, USA)

• Charlotte Clarke (New Zealand)

• Hannah Shell (Colorado, USA)

The Wild Card program gives emerging and international athletes an opportunity to compete alongside the sport’s biggest names while adding fresh storylines to the series. Several of these riders have already turned heads with strong performances at major gravel and mountain bike events throughout the season.

For Skyler Taylor, the selection adds another Southern California connection to the Grand Prix and provides a chance to test himself against one of the deepest fields in off-road endurance racing.

The newly selected athletes will officially join the Grand Prix roster at the iconic Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik on August 15, where they will begin earning points toward the overall standings.

With UNBOUND now complete, the focus shifts to Leadville, where altitude, endurance, and technical skill will create a completely different challenge from the winds and mud of Kansas.

The addition of seven new athletes ensures the battle for Grand Prix points remains unpredictable heading into the second half of the season.

Who do you think will have the biggest impact among the Wild Card selections?

Photo Credit - Jason Ebberts & Life Time

Other topics include:

• Giro d'Italia coverage and commentary

• Matt Stevens' uncanny resemblance to Lyle Lovett

• Vintage cycling equipment and Binda toe straps

• The Tashkent Terror, Djamolidine Abdoujaparov

• Lifetime Grand Prix storylines

• Gravel racing tactics and team dynamics

• Unbound weather and course conditions

Who are your picks for Unbound? Let us know in the comments.