Exactly 26 days from now, the gravel world descends on Emporia, Kansas for the 2019 Dirty Kanza 200. However, those interested in getting a taste of the Flint Hills before the granddaddy of all gravel races had a chance to do so at the weekend’s La Grind Gravel Stage Race.
La Grind was a three-day event that featured a gravel time trial on Friday, 94-mile race on Saturday and 59-mile race on Sunday. As an added bonus, Saturday’s route went south from Emporia onto some of the roads likely to be part of next month’s 206-mile race.
Roads from last year’s Dirty Kanza 200 were a part of Saturday’s La Grind course. 2018 Dirty Kanza 200. © Ian Matteson / ENVE Composites
La Grind was a time-based omnium, with riders’ times adding up over the three days of racing. Participants also had the option of doing one or two of the days of racing as well.
The Women’s win went to Ms. Worldwide (at least gravely-speaking) Kae Takeshita. Takeshita won both gravel races and finished third in the TT. Hannah Bingham finished second overall and Cassie Reynolds third.
Top honors for the Men went to Jonathan Cavner. Cavner swept all three days of racing en route to the overall. Andy Johnson finished second and Jon Harp third.
There was also a singlespeed category won by Jon Kleidosty.
Full results for the three-day overall are below. Stay tuned for more on the unique gravel stage race in the Motherland of Gravel.
Featured image: Ian Matteson
Women A Results: 2019 La Grind Gravel Stage Race
| Place | Name | Friday TT | Saturday | Sunday | Overall Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KAE TAKESHITA | 13:38.6 | 4:58:03 | 3:03:26 | 8:15:07 |
| 2 | HANNAH BINGHAM | 12:57.1 | 5:08:20 | 3:09:21 | 8:30:38 |
| 3 | CAESIE REYNOLDS | 13:58.4 | 5:20:57 | 3:20:09 | 8:55:04 |
| 4 | KAREN PRITCHARD | 12:15.0 | 6:05:05 | 3:35:06 | 9:52:26 |
| 5 | CATHERINE WALBERG | 25:15.0 | 5:57:29 | 3:37:57 | 10:00:41 |
Men A Results: 2019 La Grind Gravel Stage Race
| OVR Place | NAME | Friday TT | Saturday | Sunday | Overall Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JONATHAN CAVNER | 11:32.7 | 4:50:04 | 2:55:26 | 7:57:03 |
| 2 | ANDY JOHNSON | 12:11.4 | 4:57:06 | 2:55:32 | 8:04:49 |
| 3 | JON HARP | 12:17.6 | 4:57:50 | 2:55:23 | 8:05:31 |
| 4 | HARLEY MOORE | 12:25.9 | 4:57:50 | 2:56:08 | 8:06:24 |
| 5 | BOB CUMMINGS | 12:14.2 | 4:57:49 | 3:03:10 | 8:13:13 |
| 6 | LEVI PORTER | 13:10.7 | 4:57:50 | 3:03:11 | 8:14:12 |
| 7 | BRAD BINGHAM | 11:51.3 | 4:55:46 | 3:07:36 | 8:15:13 |
| 8 | AARON HALFAKER | 12:23.1 | 4:57:00 | 3:09:07 | 8:18:30 |
| 9 | MATTHEW KUTILEK | 13:13.9 | 4:57:55 | 3:09:09 | 8:20:18 |
| 10 | MICHAEL GIEM | 11:53.3 | 5:15:12 | 2:55:22 | 8:22:27 |
| 11 | MIKE MARCHAND | 24:37.0 | 4:57:54 | 3:09:09 | 8:31:40 |
| 12 | TOM NADEN | 13:39.2 | 5:15:31 | 3:03:12 | 8:32:22 |
| 13 | ANDREW ESCANDON | 13:54.2 | 5:18:40 | 3:09:14 | 8:41:48 |
| 14 | HUNTER WILLIAMS | 12:58.2 | 5:18:42 | 3:26:27 | 8:58:07 |
| DNF | DYLAN MCEWIN | 13:09.8 | 5:25:08 | DNF |
Men Singlespeed Results: 2019 La Grind Gravel Stage Race
| Place | Name | Friday TT | Saturday | Sunday | Overall Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JOE KLEIDOSTY | 13:40.2 | 5:08:09 | 3:04:13 | 8:26:03 |
| 2 | JOHN SCHWAB | 14:21.8 | 5:19:00 | 3:21:00 | 8:54:22 |
| 3 | TYLER ANLIKER | 24:37.0 | 5:16:19 | 3:14:58 | 8:55:54 |
| 4 | DANIEL CHRISTIANSEN | 14:36.8 | 5:20:18 | 3:23:00 | 8:57:55 |
