This past weekend, Jenna Rinehart and Brennan Wertz emerged victorious at the Highlands Gravel Classic, the only US round of the 2024 UCI Gravel World Series. The race took competitors through canopy-covered gravel roads and over a dozen climbs across the ever-changing terrain of the Ozarks.
Wertz, who had also won the Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race just a week prior, crossed the finish line in 3:25:20, a mere 12 seconds ahead of Cobe Freeburn. Nick Roche came in third place, 34 seconds behind Wertz. In an Instagram post, Wertz expressed his excitement about winning the race and qualifying for the UCI Gravel World Championships in Belgium later this year. Despite having three races in two different locations over nine days, Wertz remained focused on achieving his goals for the year.
Rinehart faced a setback early on in the race when her chain came off, causing her to fall behind Maude Farrell and Flavia Oliveira Parks. However, she managed to catch up and ultimately finished first in the women’s category with a time of 3:51:55, an impressive 25 seconds ahead of Farrell and over four minutes ahead of Oliveira Parks.
The Highlands Gravel Classic covered a challenging 67.6 mile course with over 7,000 feet of climbing, consisting mainly of gravel roads. The race began and ended on a farm outside Fayetteville, Arkansas. Both men and women showed intense competition throughout the event, making it a true test of skill and determination in gravel cycling.
Overall, it was a successful event for both Rinehart and Wertz as they showcased their abilities in this grueling sport.
