Gravel Nationals: Inside the Peloton
Brennan Wertz was the defending champion at last weekend’s Gravel National Championships. Today he takes us inside the action from the race:
Early in the race, a break of 7 racers got up the road and quickly opened up a big gap, while many in the main group looked at each other: Nobody wanted to take on the task of pulling the breakaway back. This cagey environment lasted for the first two hours of the race. At the top of the fourth proper climb of the day, the peloton began to thin, and I could sense people were starting to tire. I also knew that, if there was any chance of tail/crosswind, we were about to get into it. I made my move and created a gap. I had one other rider with me as we tried to animate the race and bridge the gap to the front. The gap had increased to around 4.5 minutes, but now we saw that time come down rapidly.
Our first attack got brought back, but soon thereafter I made another move with two others. One of them was my good friend and training partner Bradyn Lange. This time, we got a more substantial gap and were really driving the pace. The peloton eventually caught up to us, but it had been whittled down by the increased pace. By now, the initial break had been absorbed, too.
As the race came back together, I knew things were going to become more challenging. At this point, there were just two climbs remaining, but they were some of the hardest on the course, featuring sections with double-digit gradients. As a tall power rider, ultra-steep climbs aren’t my speciality.
Alexey Vermeulen increased the pace on the penultimate climb and got a gap with Cobe Freeburn and Cole Davis. Bradyn, Pete Stetina and I were distanced slightly, but worked well over the crest of the climb and began clawing back time.
We then reached the Apple Orchard and Gravel Quarry section—a technical descent. Bradyn gapped Pete and me there. Using his mtb skills, he managed to bridge across to Alexey’s group. It was pretty incredible to watch!
Pete and I worked together to try to make it back to the front, but we never managed to catch the leaders. Meanwhile, at the front, Bradyn used the last technical section before the finish to attack again. He got a gap and solo’ed to the finish line. Michael Garrison took second, Cole Davis third. When Pete and I sprinted to the line, I came out ahead to claim 8th place.
As the defending champion—with the number “1” pinned to my back—there was some expectation (and hope) for a repeat win. However, given the hilly course, I knew I would need a special day and a favorable tactical scenario to defend my title. I felt great in the race and am proud of how I rode.
For me, the highlight of the day was when Bradyn, Pete Stetina and I went all in, with about 70 km left, to bridge to the front. We don’t often get to race together these days. It was pretty special to be chopping off, in a seamless rotation, without the need for a single word of conversation. A simple nod and grin, and we all knew exactly what we were in for.
After the finish, when Bradyn came up to me and calmly told me: “I won,” I was very happy. He’s a deserving champion and he will wear the jersey well. Chapeau to him—and I’m glad we can keep the jersey in Northern California for another year.
Brennan’s Bike
- Frame/fork: Scott Addict Gravel RC 58/XL
- Tires: Rene Herse 700×44 Corkscrew Climb Endurance semi-slicks
- Tire pressure: 31 psi (2.1 bar)
- Wheels: Enve SES 4.5 w/ CeramicSpeed Coated Hub Bearings
- Stem/Seatpost: Syncros
- Handlebar: Enve SES Aero 44 cm
- Headset: CeramicSpeed SLT
- Head Unit: Garmin 840 Solar
- Groupset: Sram Red XPLR w/ CeramicSpeed Coated OSPW
- Bottom Bracket: CeramicSpeed BB86 DUB Gravel Coated
- Saddle: Form Cycling Throne RS
- Power Meter: SRM Origin PM9 w/ Carbon Ti 52t Chainring
- Bottle Cages: Arundel Bando
- Hydration: OSMO Power Fuel
- Pedals: Shimano Dura Ace
Photo credits: Jim Merithew (@tinyblackbox; used with permission)
