Photo: Glorious Gravel
This past weekend, Graean Cymru (Gravel Wales), hosted by Glorious Gravel and part of the UCI World Gravel Series, took place in North Wales. This race season has been incredibly tough, filled with lows, mechanicals, and illness that have plagued me far too often. But in recent weeks, things have started to come together, and finally, momentum is on my side. After being so close in previous races the dream of securing a UCI gravel podium became a reality this weekend. To share the podium with two Ineos riders made the experience even more special.
With a challenging start to the year, I’ve adopted a new mentality: racing has to be fun. We don't do this for the big pay cheques, we race because we love it. As long as you give 100% and enjoy the ride that's all that matters. Despite the weekend’s rainy weather I was determined to enjoy visiting this beautiful part of the country and what will be my penultimate race this season.
It was my first time in Ruthin, a charming market town, this felt very different to many races which happen in the middle of nowhere or within tiny sleepy villages where there’s not much happening. With its character and charm it’s a perfect place to bring the family and explore beyond race day. The race itself began at the stunning Llyn Brenig reservoir, the fourth-largest lake in Wales, providing a dramatic backdrop for the start and finish line.
After finishing 9th at National Gravel Champs and 4th at Marathon Champs my confidence was growing. I certainly didn’t come expecting a podium but I was hopeful for a top-10 finish, maybe a top-5 on a good day. The biblical rain leading up to the race didn’t seem to affect what turned out to be one of the best gravel tracks I’ve ridden. This event has the potential to become one of the UK's premier gravel races. With 500 riders capped this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if the number doubles or triples in the coming years.
On the start line, 500 nervous cyclists filtered into their pens, ready for the 111 kilometers ahead—two laps of 55 kilometers each. While the field was smaller than earlier UCI Gravel Series rounds, the competition was just as fierce. Familiar faces like National Champion Connor Swift, Ben Swift (both of Team Ineos), and Cameron Mason, alongside the best domestic UK riders, promised a fast and brutal race.
As the flag dropped, the race shot out of the arena and up the first climb. I moved to the front, not to force the pace but to be in a good position if others attacked. Nobody did, so I slotted back in, waiting for the first real climb, a singletrack that stretched out the field. I started the climb a bit too far back, around 8th or 10th, allowing the front riders to break away slightly. As we reached the top, I launched forward just as the front group began to form. Down the descent, I was able to recover comfortably on my Lauf Seigla, equipped with the Grit fork and Schwalbe Thunder Burt tyres at 24 psi.
Out on the gravel roads, a lead group of five formed, and the next climb became crucial for establishing a gap to the chasers. I had to push flat out, Wahoo Elemnt Bolt showing 493 watts from my Rotor Inspider power meter for the 3.5 minute climb. A few bike lengths gap opened, I was struggling with some stomach discomfort in this early part of the race which slowed me down. I soon caught back up on the descent. Unfortunately for Cam Mason a puncture took him out of contention leaving four of us at the front: myself, the two Ineos riders, and Tom Martin.
Once the gap was established, the pace eased, and my stomach started to feel better. Working together, we maintained a sustainable pace. I made sure to stay on top of my nutrition, consuming 480 grams of carbohydrates and 2 litres of fluids over the 3.5-hour race, an average of 137 grams of carbs per hour. This was maybe a bit higher than necessary but by not depleting my glycogen stores I should recover a lot quicker after the race.
Halfway through the lap we hit the most technical section, this was the one section we’d skipped when doing a practise lap yesterday. This long, muddy singletrack descent would be easy to make a mistake on, crash, break a bike, or worse. I played it safe following wheels. At the bottom we encountered a stream crossing with an A and B line, though I’d heard the bridge was faster I followed the group through the river not wanting to risk a mistake.
Photo: Glorious Gravel
As we reached the end of the first lap, we were still a group of four. It felt like only a matter of time before the pros would attack. Sure enough, just before the longest climb, the Swift cousins had a quick word, and then Connor launched. Ben bridged across, and the two rode away as Tom and I tried to chase. Despite our efforts, they were soon out of sight.
That left us battling for the final podium spot. With less than half a lap to go, Tom and I worked together, though I sensed he might be slowing. He tried a few attacks, but I managed to match him each time. With 5 kilometres remaining, Tom stopped working, and I was left to do most of the work on the front.
As we hit the final straight, the UCI banner 450 meters away, I opened up my sprint early. I could hear Tom’s gears slip behind me but I didn’t dare look back. I sprinted flat out, 20 seconds at 891 watts with a peak of 1150 watts, I crossed the line to take the final step on the podium!
Connor Swift took the win ahead of Ben Swift, then I finished third. In the women’s Joscelin Lowden won ahead of Amelia Mitchell and Lizi Brooke. A huge congratulations to our coaching clients who all had really strong races.
Standing on a UCI elite podium was a dream come true, it’s happened at the UCI MTB Marathon World Series and now here at the UCI Gravel World Series. It’s been a while since I’ve managed a really big result, today was a justification of all the hard work and support of my sponsors. What a day, what an event Graean Cymru was! I look forward to seeing this event grow in future years and hope to be there to support it.
Photo: @joshreids Instagram
Awesome result Ben