With ever-increasing levels of investment into gravel racing and a number of former (and sometimes current) professional road racers deciding to make the switch, will gravel racing lose its “soul” and just become road-lite? James Ion recently sat down with the riders from Team Groove Gravel to talk about their plans to take all the good bits from the road and MTB racing scene, but still keep things “gravelly.”
More and more, we see the creation of professional teams in gravel racing. With the amount of money on the line, not just in winnings but also in sponsorship deals, equipment and the simple cost of making it as a pro rider, creating a team makes sense. As the sport becomes more “professional” and results matter more, having teammates and the security of full-time support can make the difference between winning and losing. But what about the balance, the so-called “spirit of gravel”? Do we risk losing the essence of what our sport is?
What if there was a way to do both? Gravel racing is unique in that it still has the grassroots feel - anyone can enter the biggest races in the world and anyone can have the chance to compete against the pros. This link needs to be maintained.
One team is trying to do just that.
In 2024, from the peaks and trails of the Pyrenees, Team Groove Gravel will be taking on some of the biggest gravel races in the world. Created by businessman Franck Papore, a long-time gravel rider and supporter, he has put together a mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike talent to take on the best. Racing and winning are goals, but more importantly, the aim it is to create a long-term project that increases participation and tells a story of passion and the bringing together of pros and amateurs alike.
I sat down with the team's French manager and rider, Axelle Dubau-Prevot, to get the lowdown on the organisation, the riders, what to expect for 2024 and to discover their origin story.
“Franck created a gravel club many years ago due to his passion for gravel and his love of riding the rough stuff around the Pyrenees,” Axelle tells me. “This was a club for all riders, not professionals - it was for the passion of riding, for the community,” her French accent extending each vowel.
A lot can be said about passion and it is an essential part of any endeavour, but it can only go so far. The team and indeed Axelle herself have talked about reshaping professional gravel riding, bringing together a team of riders and backroom staff with all-around support, rather than the current model of factory team riders who, although ride under one banner, still compete against each other.
“It’s important to be 100% professional. It is not just the riders - it is the strong staff. We have an excellent chef cooking healthy meals for the riders, skilled mechanics and a great team around us which focuses on the running of the team, but most importantly, we want to create a family where everyone feels like they belong, but still a family with a strong structure.” Axelle told me.
For Team Groove Gravel, this strong structure includes team training camps, a joint racing calendar, tactics in races, protected leaders and equal access to all the resources, which sounds very much like the road racing model being applied to the gravel scene. This, surprisingly, has not been as prevalent as you would expect as so far the gravel racing narrative has been about individual riders. This “pioneering” or “privateer” adventure has been heavily influenced by the “Spirit of Gravel”. Team tactics are not commonplace in a one-on-one cut throat gravel race. However, you could argue that the very nature of a “race” goes against the “Spirit of Gravel” - the camaraderie, the togetherness in the face of adversity. This creates a ‘conundrum of conscience’ - the sport needs to grow to get more participation and more recognition, but also needs to keep hold of its soul. Can full professional teams do this?
“It is not only a story about a team,” Axelle tells me. “The Groove Gravel project aims to encourage a lot of people to ride gravel. Alongside the professional team is the Groove Exploring Together Club which will be for people of all abilities and experience.”
Having a project that focuses heavily on the involvement of its members, creating a club atmosphere, with its top riders competing on the world stage could be the balance that is needed. People want to feel part of the adventure. To feel that they contribute. But what of the pros who will be riding for team Groove Gravel?
“The team has a lot of experience. The first on the list was Hugo Drechou, a very strong rider and a good friend of Franck so the fit was guaranteed. Like I say, we don't just want to have a team but to also create a long-lasting project, so it's not just about results, but also creating an environment where everyone can improve. Hugo has a great background in mountain bike riding and so is very strong. We expect big things from him.”
Hugo will be the team leader and every great leader needs strong support. You don't get much better than World Tour rider Benjamin Perry.
“Benni was an important addition to the team due to his experience on the road. Having ridden for teams such as Astana and Human Powered Health, he has been part of the world tour and this level of professionalism will benefit us. He is really funny, strong and serious and will be a great support for the team.” Axelle explained.
In addition to this experience is youth and potential, known as a “gravel influencer” to his friends, Diederik Deelen adds more than just nice content. The former winner of the Traka 200, this young Dutch rider will be an asset on the trails as well as on socials.
“In Diederik, we have someone who we know can perform over long distances, as shown by his results in the Trakka races. Still, also he is a great addition to building the community we want to create due to his location in Girona and his contacts there.”
The team is not a male-dominated affair. On the women's side, Axelle will be doubling up as manager and rider. She will be bringing her talents to the gravel races alongside Claudia Galicia Cortina, a double world XC ski champion and fifteen-time Spanish national MTB champion. Claudia has been coaxed out of retirement to turn her attention to gravel racing.
“Talking about myself, this project was important to me from the beginning. When Franck approached me, I knew straight away I wanted to be a part of this journey. I know I can be a strong rider for the team, but I am also focused on my role as manager. For me, it is important to be involved season after season to move the project forward.” said Axelle.
What about having such a strong mountain bike rider as Claudia Cortina on the team?
“Claudia is just Claudia! What I mean is she is a unique and really strong person and it was important for us to have a woman who has not only strong abilities, but also who can bring the team together. In Claudia, we have a rider who will fight every time she takes to the start line, you know she will always be strong!”
Groove Gravel is, despite its commitment to community and growing the sport, still here to compete. I asked Axelle what the goals were for this season, where will we see the Groove Gravel colours?
“Santa Val in Girona will be the first target of the season. It is an important race to Franck as he has raced many times. It is also part of the Gravel Earth Series, so it is important for us to get a good start there. Races like the Traka 360 will be a big focus and the biggest race will be Unbound in the USA. Mainly this year we want to create the team ethos and focus on building the Groove Gravel Project. Wins would be nice for sure, but more important is the passion for the project.”
Here is where the model differs from the traditional road racing mould - results are not the be-all and end-all for the team. Sure, wins are good, but the big picture keeps people involved. People want to be part of the narrative.
Axelle gave me some insight into the big picture for the team “Yes, we want to create a story for the team, we want to promote a community and show our passion for cycling, so communication is super important which is why we have brought in Alina Jäger (Community Director) and Olivier Penpenic (Photographer). They will work together to help produce our story and to increase interaction with the team, both the pros and the project. Both are super nice and super fun and we know they will make sure our message is shared.”
As is the tradition, I always like to finish an interview by asking what is preferred, a coffee stop or a post-ride beer?
Axelle replied “I think we are a fun team, but yeah, coffee stops for sure. But after a ride, we like to enjoy ourselves. We train hard and rest easy so that we can enjoy both a coffee stop and a nice beer after the ride!”
Can a balance be found between the “Spirit of Gravel” and the professionalism of the top end? Do they even need to be exclusive of each other? Whatever the answer, Team Groove Gravel is looking to make changes, to mix things up and to have fun doing it.
Images courtesy of Olivier Penpenic