Gracing Podcast: Gravel Burn Recap with Clara Koppenburg

In this episode, Thomas discusses some major developments in the
world of gravel racing before diving into a detailed recap of the
inaugural edition of the Gravel Burn stage race
in South Africa.


He is then joined by road professional Clara
Koppenburg (Team Cofidis), who shares her unique Gravel
Burn experience. She discusses the intense challenge of a
self-organized stage race, the camp conditions, and the
surprising joy she found in gravel competition.


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️ Episode Segments


Gravel News: Major changes to the Gravel Earth
Series and Lifetime Grand Prix. [00:06:50]


Gravel Burn Recap: High-level overview of the
race and key results [00:17:25]


️ Conversation with Clara Koppenburg: Why she
signed up, the training, and the race. [00:31:10]

Topics in this episode


GES Calendar Overhaul: The Gravel
Earth Series shrinks from 23 to 12 races in 2026,
dropping monuments like Gravel Worlds and
The Rift.


LTGP Money & Rules: The Lifetime
Grand Prix increases its prize money pool and
introduces a finisher compensation to
incentivize pros to complete the series.


Frozen Adventure: The brutal conditions on the
early Gravel Burn stages —rain, wind, and freezing
temperatures—that left bikes frozen and clothing soaked,
completely defying expectations for a South African race.


Gravel is Different: Clara discusses how the
race was a needed break from the highly organized (and
stressful) WorldTour environment, where she could reconnect
with riding.


The Racing: Analyzing the GC race where
Axelle Dubau-Prévot won after Ashley
Moolman-Pasio suffered a flat tire on the final stage,
balancing the misfortune of the lead.

Featured in this Episode:


Clara Koppenburg: Clara is a Professional
Cyclist, currently on Team Cofidis Women (Pro Tour). Follow her
journey into gravel on her Instagram.


Thomas Euler: Host of the The Gravel
Stack Newsletter. Follow Thomas on
Instagram.