British gravel cycling professional, Maddy Knutt, is heading to South America for the Transcordillera eight-day stage race
Having conquered the rocky wilds of South Africa, endurance cyclist Maddy Knutt is already looking ahead to her next big challenge as she switches continents and heads deep into the mountain ranges of Colombia.
Delighted to have achieved an impressive top-ten finish at last week’s Nedbank Gravel Burn event, the 27-year-old will arrive for the Transcordillera in February both full of confidence and with more understanding of what tackling a multi-stage endurance ride can entail.
The first-ever Nedbank Gravel Burn saw more than 500 amateur and professional riders trek 800km across the Eastern Cape of South Africa during seven stages of, at times, brutal cycling.
Building on her reputation
It is an experience which will undoubtedly serve Knutt well as she looks to continue building on a career path where she is now recognised as one of the most exciting young riders on the gravel circuit.
Transcordillera – a steep and humid race across the Colombian Andes with eight stages averaging 120km each and a lung-busting elevation gain of 2,200 metres – certainly promises to deliver another sizeable test in her still-fledgling gravel cycling career, but that is where the South African experience comes in.
Talking to Cycling247 after completing the Gravel Burn, she revealed how the race had been the perfect way for her to draw the gravel season to an end, and that after some well-deserved rest, she would be back in the saddle and focusing her mind on South America.
“I’ve absolutely loved it in South Africa. I feel like it’s been really varied in terms of the stages, and the actual racing has been really hard,” she said. “I thought the level of the racing might be pretty high, looking at the start list, and it’s definitely delivered. There are a lot of very strong riders here, and the racing has been pretty exciting.
“I’m definitely ready for the break now, though. This is my last day on a bike for the next three weeks, and I do need it. I started racing in February, and we’re now hitting November. So I think it’s definitely time for a proper rest. I want to rebuild that enthusiasm to ride and race my bike again.
The challenge of racing at altitude
“I’m targeting the stage race in Colombia, the Transcordillera; it’s eight days and probably going to be as hard as this. It’s at altitude, so it is likely to be even harder.”
And it won’t only be the conditions which are likely to make the race in Colombia a little bit harder, with the riders also expected to provide their own accommodation and supplies for the race – a far cry from the Burn Camps which were set up each night in South Africa to take care of tents, food, and clothing and provide hot showers for the competitors.
“The Gravel Burn experience has been so great because of the level of camping. It doesn’t feel like you’re really just surviving every day, and I have felt like I am able to properly recover at night before then racing the next day,” she said. “The food’s been outstanding – one of the highlights for me – and the whole combination of everything: the adventure, the challenge, and the sense of community has truly surpassed my expectations.
“You get the intensity of racing but also the freedom of exploring. It feels more personal and raw compared to road racing. This has been one of the most memorable weeks I’ve had on a bike. The people, the atmosphere, the riding – it’s all been amazing. I’ll definitely be back.”
The Gravel Burn’s overall GC winners were South African Matt Beers in the men’s section and French rider Axelle Dubau-Prevot in the women’s race, with Knutt finishing in 10th spot – a more than respectable finish to a more than impressive season.
‘I want to enjoy my racing’
Keen not to set herself too many targets for next year, Knutt will continue to just go out and enjoy her riding, no matter which continent she finds herself in.
“I think I just want to keep enjoying racing and riding my bike,” she said. “There are no specific targets really – maybe to try to get a podium at Traka 360 – but I try not to get too fixated on specific races, because if something goes wrong, it’s too easy to get disappointed.”
Disappointment is far from her mind at this moment in time as she sets off on her end-of-season break full of the confidence and belief that come from once again proving she can handle herself in the saddle alongside the world’s very best.
For a full list of all the results, click HERE to go to the Gravel Burn website.
Read the Gravel Burn Stage 1 report HERE.
Read the Gravel Burn Stage 1 report HERE.
Read the Gravel Burn Stage 2 report HERE.
Read the Gravel Burn Stage 3 report HERE.
Read the Gravel Burn Stage 4 report HERE.
Read the Gravel Burn Stage 5 report HERE.
Read the Gravel Burn Stage 6 report HERE.
Read the Gravel Burn Stage 7 report HERE.
Read all about the Gravel Burn HERE.
