Unbound Gravel. Favorites in advance of the men’s race sought to reach a collective agreement for those planning on riding in the front pack not to use aero bars.
The issue has not been raised or discussed to the same degree among the women gravel racers. However, Amanda Nauman and Sofia Gomez Villafane agreed that safety is the main priority. They also concluded that a gentleman’s agreement on the issue is not enough and that promoters must step up and make clear rules on using aero bars (or not) in gravel racing.
“I have no idea why it’s not a matter of conflict,” Nauman, two-time winner of Unbound Gravel 200, told Cyclingnews. “There’s been some eye-rolling, but not a collective conversation like it’s been for the men.”
Nauman says she didn’t use aero bars in the Unbound 200 event but did use them in the 350-mile XL solo pursuit last year.
“I used them for the XL but didn’t for the 200 because there’s more pack riding, and I’m in that boat of safety. “Nauman said.
“I think it seems to be the argument for most people, but it’s interesting how it’s not yet a conversation on the women’s side.
“Hopefully, they’re not used in a pack setting, and that seems like a worry, that people can only use them when they are alone, but I’ve seen pictures of women in aero bars while in a group – that’s not OK. “
Peter Stetina, Ian Boswell, and Kiel Reijnen discussed not using aero bars and tried to reach a consensus on the issue ahead of Unbound. It is a decision that the organisers of gravel races must address.
“It’s on the promoters,” Nauman said. “No self-policing is going to work, and I’ve learned that doing so for many years.
“It has to come from someone who has authority in that specific event. and don’t want to take that away from them. “
Sofia Gomez Villafane was the first female finisher at Unbound Gravel 200 in June, covering the distance in 10 hours and 24 minutes. She and the fastest male finisher, Ivar Slik, used aero bars during the event.
Gomez Villafane said that she did not believe that aero bars were an issue among the women racing in the field. The primary concern when using aero bars is that. However, they have used aero bars safely during her race, especially after using them extensively during training.
“In the first hour or so and when I was rolling with the elite men, there was such a big group that I didn’t use the TT bars. , you’re riding in groups of four or less, or in those small groups, it’s easier to use the TT bars, and it’s a lot safer because there aren’t that many people around you. you’re in a big group with 10 to 20 people in front of you, you’ve got no idea what’s coming, “Gomez Villafane said.
“I did a full six weeks of training with my TT bars to practice, and I had a lot of practice and skill work. arms up and can I get on my hoods safely.
“For the guys, when they have 10 or 15 in a group and a few are in TT bars, that’s a little bit harder.”
Gomez Villafane said organisers added clear rules at their events.
“It can’t be a gentleman’s agreement or an agreement between just the pro men, and it has to be a rule. If you [the organisers] don’t want us running TT bars, make it a rule, “Gomez Villafane said.
Gomez Villafane said that the new Gravel World Series is organized by the UCI has a clear set of regulations.
“Where do I struggle with gravel racing? , they actually have a good rule book, and rider’s safety is first in the rules, “she said.
Gomez Villafane believes that using the aero bars to improve the fairness and safety of gravel racing outside the new series.
“Instead of talking about aero bars, I’d rather talk about getting our own women’s start, or drafting rules, or our own race. In Unbound, it might take 12 hours, but it would be a different race,” Gomez Villafane said .
“At some point, there are going to be a change whereby the pro race[s] have specific rules, and amateur racing has different rules. Many organisers don’t want to put out regulations, but rules create equality and fairness for the race.
“The field is so deep, and the talent is so high that even minute differences have such a big impact on the races. follow them.
“My main comment is that, for women, having an aero clip is such a small problem compared to the fact that we don’t really get to race each other.
It is important to be safe and secure when riding in a group or across the technical sections.
“Be smart. In technical areas or groups where you have to slow down, you need to be able to slow down quickly,” Nauman said.
“With so many people doing these events, if your reaction time is slower because you’re in a position where you can’t get your brakes fast enough, you could compromise many people behind you.
“Being safe and smart and having quick access to your brakes is probably the most important thing. Just mostly using aero bars when you’re solo is probably the safest.”