Will Jones

1 week ago | cyclingnews.com | Simone Giuliani |Will Jones

The first riders over the line in The Traka Adventure blasted through the race in less than 24 hours but the next day, some riders were still working their way to the line after having persevered through two nights. Scotland’s Allan Shaw was one such rider, tackling the 560km on a cargo bike. It’s not the first time the former bike messenger turned ultra-racer has taken on a long challenge on a cargo bike instead.

1 week ago | cyclingnews.com | Will Jones

I think at this point it's fair to say The Traka is Europe's biggest gravel race, and it's beginning to vye for the top spot globally thanks to a mix of easier transport access, fantastic gravel riding, relatively plentiful accommodation, and the chance to do a little touristing before or after for those coming from further afield. It was my first gravel event that I've covered as a journalist, and also the first cycling event I've participated in (mass start events aren't my cup of tea).

1 week ago | cyclingnews.com | Will Jones

The Traka is probably second only to Unbound now in the gravel race calendar, and considering it is a lot easier to get to for many European-based riders (professionals and amateurs alike), it's very much nipping at the heels of its more established North American rival.

1 week ago | cyclingnews.com | Will Jones |Simone Giuliani

Maddy Nutt had been putting a solid run of form on display on the run into The Traka 360 and at 100km in was one minute behind the lead group at the flagship European gravel race and in a solid chase, but then she crashed to the ground when another rider fell in front of her. Nutt's lead in this season included a second overall and stage win at Sahara Gravel, a win the UCI Gravel World Series round in Brazil and her last hit out was the 200km Dirty Reiver, which she also won.

1 week ago | cyclingnews.com | Simone Giuliani |Will Jones

Lachlan Morton’s return to The Traka 360 after coming second in 2022 may not have gone to plan but, while the anticipated long day on the bike at the flagship European gravel race ended prematurely, another even longer effort is just around the corner at the North American race that has long loomed large in the discipline. “I broke my wheel about 150 km in so that was it, day done,” the EF Education-EasyPost rider told Cyclingnews in Girona the day after his Traka 360 race plans went awry.