Statement regarding Women's Elite race

Although we look back on a great Gravel One Fifty, the race in the Elite Women’s category did not go as we had hoped. Despite all our good intentions, the riders were quickly caught by the fastest men in the 19-34 category. This affected the race in a way we would have preferred to avoid. We misjudged this, which we regret and which leaves us with a bitter aftertaste.

By scheduling the Elite Women’s start right after the Elite Men, we aimed to give the women’s race a prominent place in the timetable, ensuring it would receive the attention it deserves. By increasing the time gap with the next group to five minutes, instead of the three minutes used in the rest of the schedule, we thought and hoped we would give this group sufficient space.

At all Enforce events, we have been doing our utmost for years to give the women’s race the space it deserves. We will continue to do so and will certainly work to solve this issue next year.

At the same time, we ask for your understanding for the challenges we face. Enabling nearly 2,000 starters to enjoy a great day on the bike requires a huge effort from volunteers and the cooperation of permit authorities, local residents, and the region as a whole, for which we are very grateful.

We enjoyed a fantastic day on the bike, full of beautiful stories, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s edition. Because the gravel road may be bumpy, but it always takes us somewhere beautiful.