The 2026 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships returned to the Midwest’s Driftless Region for the fourth edition of the event. Riders across 42 categories competed for national titles on three demanding courses covering 107, 68, and 31 miles.
Elite Men/Open 19+
The Elite Men’s race started with 61 riders taking on the full 107-mile course. It quickly became a race of attrition, with attacks coming throughout the opening half and the field continuing to thin. By mile 53, a five-rider group had established itself at the front. The break included Zach Calton (Ogden, Utah; Ventum - Precision Fuel and Hydration - Velocio), Marc Spratt (Millcreek, Utah; Ventum/Voler), Braeden Sellinger (Phoenix, Ariz.; Dark Sky Devo), Chase Wark (Winona, Minn.; Lunchbox Racing), and Robert Oehler (Indianapolis, Ind.; Lads Racing Collective).
By the three-hour mark, the five-rider break had been pulled back, creating a lead group of 12, with Griffin Easter (Park City, Utah; OpiCure Gravel p/b Orbea and Castelli SOG) chasing 30 seconds behind. Easter continued to close the gap before making his way to the front. At the fourth and final time check, 10 miles from the finish, Easter had opened a 40-second advantage over a nine-rider chase group.
After spending significant energy chasing and alone at the front, Easter was caught in the closing miles. Cobe Freeburn (Durango, Colo.; Trek Driftless) made his move soon after and quickly opened a 20-second advantage. Freeburn held the gap through the final stages of the course and rode solo to earn the national title. Behind him, Cole Davis (Roseville, Calif.; SpeedStudio p/b Basso) took the sprint for second, with Easter holding on for third after an impressive day of riding.
When asked about the race, Freeburn responded, “The day was great. It was very chaotic with people up the road all the time. Luckily, we caught Griffin [Easter] right at the end, and I was able to attack in the forest and get away. It was really special; I’ve never even been on the national podium before so really special to win. I’ve been thinking about this since last year and I really wanted it, so I’m really proud.”
Results:
1. Cobe Freeburn (Durango, Colo.; Trek Driftless)
2. Cole Davis (Roseville, Calif.; SpeedStudio p/b Basso)
3. Griffin Easter (Park City, Utah; OpiCure Gravel p/b Orbea and Castelli SOG)
Elite Women/Open 19+
A field of 25 riders lined up for the Elite Women’s 107-mile race. Paige Onweller (Bella Vista, Ark.; Trek Driftless) showed her strength throughout the day and separated herself from the field by mile 41, opening a 20-second advantage with two groups of eight chasing behind.
Sarah Lange (Lyme, N.H.) was able to bridge across to Onweller, and by mile 66 the pair had established a 40-second gap over a solo-chasing Emma Langley (Richmond, Va.; Ventum / DT Swiss / Kenda / Rule28 / Monolith). A group of five followed 2 minutes and 40 seconds behind.
Onweller and Lange stayed together through the closing miles, setting up a two-up sprint for the national title. Onweller had the speed at the finish, sprinting to the win and the Stars and Stripes jersey, with Lange taking second. Langley held her position behind the leading pair to round out the podium.
“Solid day out today at Gravel Nationals,” said Onweller. “We had a lot of hard efforts on the first few climbs, and then on the third main climb on the day there’s a long plateau and a crosswind and I just put in an attack there which was mile 38.” Onweller added, “I was solo for probably about an hour and Sarah Lange bridged back up around mile 55 and that was perfect. We work really well together, we’re both super strong, and really committed to working together to the finish. I got her at the end, but she really pushed me today and it was a really fun day with her.”
Results:
1. Paige Onweller (Bella Vista, Ark.; Trek Driftless)
2. Sarah Lange (Lyme, N.H.)
3. Emma Langley (Richmond, Va.; Ventum / DT Swiss / Kenda / Rule28 / Monolith)
107-Mile Route
The categories competing on the 107-mile course included Men’s and Women’s Singlespeed, 19-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, and Non-Binary/Open. Newly crowned National Champions included; Jacob Zimmerman (Palm City, Fla.; Z Boys Racing) in Men’s 19-34, Maire Noonan (Grand Rapids, Mich.; Bissell ABG Cycling) in Women’s 19-34, Kevin-Druis Merenda (Golden, Colo.; BPM) in Men’s 35-39, Courtney Sullivan (Carlsbad, Calif.; Mamis p/b Incycle) in Women’s 35-39, Coulton Hartrich (Jupiter, Fla.; Mias Miracles) in Men’s 40-44, Anna Bondow (Palm Coast, Fla.; HM Brown)in Women’s 40-44, Tom Danielson (Longmont, Colo.; CINCH Cycling) in Men’s 45-49, Beth Peterson (North Easton, Mass.; bikebarnracing.com) in Women’s 45-49, Peter Olejniczak (Minneapolis, Minn.; Project Echelon Vanguard) in Men’s Singlespeed, and Katheryn Phillips (Silver Spring, Md.; Artemis Racing) in Non-Binary/Open.
Men’s 19-34 Results:
1. Jacob Zimmerman (Palm City, Fla.; Z Boys Racing)
2. Oliver Rutberg (Colorado Springs, Colo.; PAS RACING)
3. Aitor Azkarraga (Plover, Wis.; Stevens Point Cycling Club)
4. Nate Schneider (Wheat Ridge, Colo.; BPM)
5. Anthony Lellinger (Chattanooga, Tenn.; Motor Mile Racing)
Women’s 19-34 Results:
1. Maire Noonan (Grand Rapids, Mich.; Bissell ABG Cycling)
2. Annika Lampen (Grand Rapids, Mich.; Bissell ABG)
3. Colleen Larocca (Brevard, N.C.; Dirt Camp Racing)
4. Bridget Smith (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; We Development)
5. Paige Anderson (Pittsburgh, Pa.; Pittsburgh Babes on Bikes Racing)
Men’s 35-39 Results:
1. Kevin-Druis Merenda (Golden, Colo.; BPM)
2. Nick Nygaard (Duluth, Minn.)
3. Jake Yahrmatter (Missoula, Mont.; Frontiers Racing)
4. Michael Carilli (Medfield, Mass.; NE Cycling Experts)
5. Marcus Duval (Minneapolis, Minn.; NeXT pb Enshored)
Women’s 35-39 Results:
1. Courtney Sullivan (Carlsbad, Calif.; Mamis p/b Incycle)
2. Katie Bonebrake (Salt Lake City, Utah; Asiina Cycling)
3. Marisa Boaz (Waukee, Iowa)
4. Sarah Sullivan (Lakewood, Colo.; World Bicycle Relief)
5. Sarah Skelly (Enfield, N.H.; CINCH Cycling)
Men’s 40-44 Results:
1. Coulton Hartrich (Jupiter, Fla.; Mias Miracles)
2. Brian McCulloch (Yucaipa, Calif.; Big Wheel Coaching Fullerton Bikes Specialized ENVE Shimano)
3. Jaco Cronje (Missouri City, Texas; Elevate Racing)
4. Matthew Curbeau (Millis, Mass.; New England Cycling Experts)
5. Phillip Sime (Viroqua, Wis.)
Women’s 40-44 Results:
1. Anna Bondow (Palm Coast, Fla.; HM Brown)
2. Chavon Rosenthal (Boulder, Colo.; Distance to Empty)
3. Denali Lord (Longmont, Colo.; Denali Lord Nutrition & Wellness)
4. Sabrina Hirsch (Duvall, Wash.; QuickPro)
5. Dominique Lavanchy Orrego (Woodbury, Minn.; Chilkoot)
Men’s 45-49 Results:
1. Tom Danielson (Longmont, Colo.; CINCH Cycling)
2. Jurd Hurd (Los Altos Hills, Calif.; Turbo)
3. Andrew Knight (Marietta, Ga.; North Georgia Cycling Association)
4. Lawrence Perera (Yarmouthport, Mass.; @tangledwood_flowers)
5. David Sachs (Boulder, Colo.; BJC)
Women’s 45-49 Results:
1. Beth Peterson (North Easton, Mass.; bikebarnracing.com)
2. Melissa Bell (Charlotte, N.C.; Tempo Cyclisme)
3. Megan Stevens (Sugar Land, Texas; Shama Cycles)
4. Laura Henderson (Denver, Colo.)
5. Katie Miller (Madison, Wis.)
Men’s Singlespeed Results:
1. Peter Olejniczak (Minneapolis, Minn.; Project Echelon Vanguard)
2. Jesse Stauffer (Selinsgrove, Pa.; 717 Cycling)
3. Brian Bierman (Madison, Wis.; 2 Bit Bicycle Goons)
4. James Allen (Mebane, N.C.; Triangle Velo)
5. Matthew Peters (St. Paul, Minn.; Chilkoot Velo Cycling Club)
Non-Binary/Open Results:
1. Katheryn Phillips (Silver Spring, Md.; Artemis Racing)
2. Andy Zolyak (Brooklyn, N.Y.; All.Ways Cycling Club p/b Pause Breathe Reflect)
68-Mile Route
Categories taking on the 68-mile course consisted of Juniors 15-18, Masters 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, Para-cycling BVI, and Para-cycling C3-C5. Newly crowned National Champions included; Greyson Wimberley (Gravette, Ark.; OZ Racing) in Junior Men’s 15-16, Anna Morozowich (Scottsdale, Ariz.; Bear National Team) in Junior Women’s 15-16, Carter Lembke (Columbia, Mo.; Lunchbox Racing) in Junior Men’s 17-18, Heidi Hansen (Spearfish, S.D.; Fount Cycling Guild) in Junior Women’s 17-18, Michael Murphy & Joseph Matta (Rio Rancho, N.M.; The Veloflö Projekt) in Men’s B Tandem, Noah Middlestaedt (Cumerland, Maine; GimpCyclist.com) in Men’s C3, Cj Howard (Sacramento, Calif.; Pacos/Shriners Racing) in Men’s C4, Robert Yerex (Eden Prairie, Minn.; Davis Phinney Foundation Masters Cycling) in Men’s C5, Elisabeth Edwards (Park City, Kan.) in Women’s C5, Brian Buchholz (San Carlos, Calif.; Pacos Masters Racing) in Men’s 50-54, Christina Gokey-Smith (Denton, Texas; Impact Racing Team P/b VeloRepublic) in Women’s 50-54, Butch Peterson (Carbondale, Colo.; Hub of Aspen & Jenny) in Men’s 55-59, Kristina Gray (Sherwood, Ore.; Dialed Cycling Team) in Women’s 55-59, Dan Paulus (La Crosse, Wis.; Smith's Bike Shop) in Men’s 60-64, Stacey Barbossa (Mountainside, N.J.; Team Solutions Cycling) in Women’s 60-64, David Juarez (Whittier, Calif.; Team Skipper) in Men’s 65-69, and Lynn Sims (Knoxville, Tenn.) in Women’s 65-69.
Men’s 15-16 Results:
1. Greyson Wimberley (Gravette, Ark.; OZ Racing)
2. Martin Gill (Nashville, Tenn.; EF-Onto)
3. Julian Lavoie (Viroqua, Wis.; VTAC)
4. Roczen Beissel (Hastings, Minn.; Bear Devo)
5. Dylan Fairbairn (Seattle, Wash.; Team Booger)
Women’s 15-16 Results:
1. Anna Morozowich (Scottsdale, Ariz.; Bear National Team)
2. Leah Morozowich (Scottsdale, Ariz.; Bear National Team)
3. Kinsley Oberding (Apple Valley, Minn.)
4. Juniper Allen (Gentry, Ark.; OZ Development Team)
5. Claire Rust (Sidney, Ohio; Bear Devo)
Men’s 17-18 Results:
1. Carter Lembke (Columbia, Mo.; Lunchbox Racing)
2. Preston Ronck (Rogers, Ark.; Cannibal B. Victorious)
3. Logan Drevlow (Golden Valley, Minn.; Bear Devo)
4. Mason Wilson (Kalona, Iowa; Lunchbox Racing)
5. Brandon Parrish (Fayetteville, Ark.; OZ Race Team)
Women’s 17-18 Results:
1. Heidi Hansen (Spearfish, S.D.; Fount Cycling Guild)
2. Kate Elwell (Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Zangi Bikes Racing)
3. Ammi Boyle (Bella Vista, Ark.; OZ Racing)
4. Sarah Black (Traverse City, Mich.)
5. Chloe Harisberger (Warrenton, Mo.; Free Fly Elite)
Men’s B (Tandem) Results:
1. Michael Murphy & Joseph Matta (Rio Rancho, N.M.; The Veloflö Projekt)
Men’s C3 (Cycling) Results:
1. Noah Middlestaedt (Portland, Maine; GimpCyclist.com)
2. Justin Mathers (Fayetteville, N.C.; Indigo Cycling Chicago)
Men’s C4 (Cycling) Results:
1. Cj Howard (Sacramento, Calif.; Pacos/Shriners Racing)
2. Mitch Brekke (Hartland, Minn.; Gray Duck Racing)
3. Kyle Pitman (Lafayette, Colo.; Project Echelon Vanguard)
4. Kai Luan (Chicago, Ill.; Indigo Cycling)
Men’s C5 (Cycling) Results:
1. Robert Yerex (Eden Prairie, Minn.; Davis Phinney Foundation Masters Cycling)
Women’s C5 (Cycling) Results:
1. Elisabeth Edwards (Park City, Kan.)
Men’s 50-54 Results:
1. Brian Buchholz (San Carlos, Calif.; Pacos Masters Racing)
2. Mike Barton (Hanover, N.H.; Velocio - Julbo)
3. Will Letendre (Etna, N.H.)
4. John Holtan (Minneapolis, Minn.; Donkey Label Racing)
5. Mike Budd (Wrightstown, Wis.; Broken Spoke Racing)
Women’s 50-54 Results:
1. Christina Gokey-Smith (Denton, Texas; Impact Racing Team P/b VeloRepublic)
2. Evie Edwards (Asheville, N.C.; Liberty Bicycle)
3. Kimberly Flynn (Boone, N.C.; Vantaggio Fitness)
4. Heather Wajer (Austin, Texas; True Grit Racing)
Men’s 55-59 Results:
1. Butch Peterson (Carbondale, Colo.; Hub of Aspen & Jenny)
2. Jeff Hartman (Boulder, Colo.)
3. Derby Pattengill (San Diego, Calif.; GS Adams Avenue Bikes)
4. David Richter (Georgetown, Ky.; Fount Cycling Guild)
5. Laszlo Alberti (Plymouth, Minn.; Donkey Label Racing)
Women’s 55-59 Results:
1. Kristina Gray (Sherwood, Ore.; Dialed Cycling Team)
2. Denise Esposito (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.; Signature Cycles/Endurance WERX)
3. Marlina Walth (Bismarck, N.D.; 701 Cycle and Sport)
Men’s 60-64 Results:
1. Dan Paulus (La Crosse, Wis.; Smith's Bike Shop)
2. James Parker (Saint Paul, Minn.; NorthStar Development)
3. Craig Hofer (Littleton, Colo.; HM Brown - Excel Sports)
4. Martin Bell (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
5. Tim Hacker (Madison, Wis.; Neff Cycle Service)
Women’s 60-64 Results:
1. Stacey Barbossa (Mountainside, N.J.; Team Solutions Cycling)
2. Julie Dunkle (Encinitas, Calif.; NYX Endurance)
3. Katie Lindquist (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Velo/Gu Energy)
4. Jennifer Slawta (Medford, Ore.; Team Landshark)
5. Erica Brann (Boulder, Colo.; HM Brown Cycling)
Men’s 65-69 Results:
1. David Juarez (Whittier, Calif.; Team Skipper)
2. John Steward (Boulder, Colo.; CINCH Cycling)
3. Eric Long (Colorado, Colo.; Wholesome Sweetners)
4. Jay Trojan (Cumberland, R.I.; Arc En Ciel Racing Team)
5. Mark Littrell (Bellevue, Wash.; Rain City Racing)
Women’s 65-69 Results:
1. Lynn Sims (Knoxville, Tenn.)
2. Joanne Ernst (Boulder, Colo.)
3. Deborah Deluca (Duluth, Minn.)
4. Melanie Carvell (Bismarck, N.D.; 701 Sports)
5. Ruth Clemence (Newport Beach, Calif.; Big Wheel Coaching)
31-Mile Route
The 31-mile course featured Juniors 11-14, Para-cyclists C1-C2, Intellectually Impaired, and Masters 70+ categories. Newly crowned National Champions included; Dash Prigge (Park City, Utah; RFRJ) in Junior Men’s 11-12, Raven Kemp-Hudson (Williams Bay, Wis.; Molly Maid-Byron Health and Healing) in Junior Women’s 11-12, Max Thornton (Spring Hill, Tenn.; OZ Racing) in Junior Men’s 13-14, Ellie Minner (Lebanon, Ohio; Lionhearts Junior Racing) in Junior Women’s 13-14, Shane Walsh (Pahrump, Nev.) in Men’s C1, Jack Kuhlbars (Ashland, Va.) in Intellectually Impaired, Frank Winters (Susanville, Calif.; Clean Power Cycling) in Men’s 70-74, Sherry Berde Townsend (Mendota Heights, Minn.; NorthStar Development) in Women’s 70-74, Stuart Fealk (Spokane, Wash.; Arrivee) in Men’s 75-79, Martha Iverson (Durango, Colo.; DNA Cycling Masters) in Women’s 75+, Whitney Fanning (Waco, Texas; GeriAtrix) in Men’s 80-84, Ernest Borjon (Anchorage, Alaska) in Men’s 85-89, and Frederic Schmid (Waco, Texas; GeriAtrix) in the Men’s 90-94.
Men’s 11-12 Results:
1. Dash Prigge (Park City, Utah; RFRJ)
2. Owen Morozowich (Scottsdale, Ariz.; Durango Devo)
3. Kaiser Boone (Bella Vista, Ark.; FUN DEVO)
4. Wyatt Frey (Shorewood, Wis.; Molly Maid-Byron Health and Healing)
5. Dane Dimmer (Eldridge, Iowa; North Scott MTB Club/Health Habits Cycling Team)
Women’s 11-12 Results:
1. Raven Kemp-Hudson (Williams Bay, Wis.; Molly Maid-Byron Health and Healing)
2. Eleanor Rumphol (Eau Claire, Wis.)
Men’s 13-14 Results:
1. Max Thornton (Spring Hill, Tenn.; OZ Racing)
2. Elliot Knox (Ingleside, Ill.; Molly Maid-Byron Health and Healing)
3. Spencer Grant (Parkville, Mo.; Move Up Cycling Club)
4. Hudson Doetsch (Park City, Utah; Altus Racing)
5. Cruz Woodbury (Sparta, Mich.; Michigan Dirt Riders)
Women’s 13-14 Results:
1. Ellie Minner (Lebanon, Ohio; Lionhearts Junior Racing)
2. Lhotse Johnson (Dixon, N.M.; Racing Apparel / Broken Spoke SF)
3. Alys Stevens (Bentonville, Ark.; Miller School of Abermarle)
4. Carly Freymiller (Cottage Grove, Minn.; NorthStar Development)
5. Lumen Brandsmeier (North Liberty, Iowa; Sugar Bottom Bikes)
Men’s C1 (Cycling) Results:
1. Shane Walsh (Pahrump, Nev.)
Intellectually Impaired Results:
1. Jack Kuhlbars (Ashland, Va.)
Men’s 70-74 Results:
1. Frank Winters (Susanville, Calif.; Clean Power Cycling)
2. Frank Jennings (Edgartown, Mass.; Spin arts American lung)
3. Julius Aulisio (Clarkesville, Ga.; Top View Sports)
4. Mark Wolowiec (Davisburg, Mich.; Kinetic Fitness Cycling Elite Masters)
5. Brian Gitar (Duluth, Minn.; Dusty Devil Racing Team)
Women’s 70-74 Results:
1. Sherry Berde Townsend (Mendota Heights, Minn.; NorthStar Development)
2. Lesley Jensen (Lafayette, Calif.; Pedal Project/Ride for Good)
Men’s 75-79 Results:
1. Stuart Fealk (Spokane, Wash.; Arrivee)
2. Michael Brauer (Boulder, Colo.; Team Cinch)
3. Dan Phillips (Viroqua, Wis.; Verum Wheels)
4. Robert Ogren (Bloomington, Minn.; NorthStar Development)
5. Alex Nieroth (Park City, Utah; Stay Park City)
Women’s 75+ Results:
1. Martha Iverson (Durango, Colo.; DNA Cycling Masters)
Men’s 80-84 Results:
1. Whitney Fanning (Waco, Texas; GeriAtrix)
Men’s 85-89 Results:
1. Ernest Borjon (Anchorage, Alaska)
Men’s 90-94 Results:
1. Frederic Schmid (Waco, Texas; GeriAtrix)
Full results for the 2026 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships can be found here.
