The Gravel Paddock

EP11 - Hans Becking - "The Traka's New Era, Race Safety & The 300km Elite Shift"

Gerard Freixes recently dropped massive news: active pro rider Hans Becking is stepping up as the new Race Director for The Traka. In this episode, we sit down with Hans to understand the massive organizational shifts coming to the gravel capital of the world. We dive deep into the burning topic of race safety, detailing how the organization plans to eliminate "avoidable risks" and the exact legal reasons behind the discontinuation of the 560km Ultra format. Hans also explains the bold decision to unify the Elite category into a single 300km race, the new qualification system for pros, and the Gravel Earth Series' pivot towards "quality over quantity", including the confirmed arrival of prize money. No fluff. No filter. The race starts here. 🏁 Listen to the full episode for: **** Intro: From Pro Rider to Race Director **** The Burning Topic: Race Safety, Ambulances & Avoidable Risks **** The 300km Elite Shift: Defining a True Traka Champion **** The Real Reason the 560km Ultra Format Was Canceled **** Pro Qualifications & Priority Access Registration **** The Business of Gravel: Prize Money & The Future of GES **** Hans' Dual Identity: Racing Cape Epic while Organizing The Traka Links: Follow Hans Becking: @hansbecking Follow The Traka: @thetraka Follow Gravel Earth Series: @gravelearthseries Follow The Gravel Paddock: @thegravelpaddock

EP10 - Haley Smith - "Conquering The Rift, The Future of Teams & World Championships Dream"

From racing XCO at the Tokyo Olympics to taking the overall Life Time Grand Prix title and now conquering the volcanic gravel of Iceland. We sit down with Haley Smith for a raw race debrief of her incredible comeback victory at The Rift 200. In this episode, we dive into the reality of a 7.5-hour epic: surviving the hardest crash of her career, getting her wheel unstuck, and finding the "flow state" to hunt down the leaders. We also discuss a harsh reality for the industry: why the true privateer model might not survive the arrival of structured teams. Finally, we explore her dream of the UCI World Championship rainbow jersey, her dual life balancing elite racing with a PhD in Sport Psychology, and her new mentorship program, Competere. No fluff. No filter. The race starts here. 🏁 Listen to the full episode for: **** Intro & The Post-Tokyo Mindset Pivot **** Balancing a PhD with Pro Racing & The Competere Program **** The Inside Story: Canceled Canadian Nationals **** The Rift Debrief: Preparation & Morning Routine **** The Hardest Crash, Resetting the Mind & The Winning Attack **** Tech Check: MTB Tires, 1x Drivetrain & 17 PSI **** The Future of Gravel: Teams vs. Privateers **** UCI Worlds Clash, Rainbow Dreams & What's Next Links: Follow Haley Smith on Instagram: @haleyhuntersmith Learn more about the Competere program: https://www.haleyhuntersmith.com/competere Follow The Gravel Paddock: @thegravelpaddock

EP9 - Alex Miller - "From Olympic MTB to Gravel, Namibian Roots & The Swatt Club Vibe"

From growing up on a massive farm in Namibia to representing his country at two Olympic Games, Alex Miller’s pathway into the European gravel peloton is anything but traditional. In Episode 9 of The Gravel Paddock, we sit down with the Swatt Club rider in his new home base of Girona. We dive into the massive cultural and physical shift of moving from the explosive 90-minute efforts of Olympic Cross-Country to the brutal 5-hour grind of modern gravel racing. Alex opens up about the reality of his 2026 season, the visa struggles of an African athlete racing in Europe, and the unique, anti-establishment culture of the Swatt Club. Plus, we get into a heavy "Tech Check" on why he strictly runs a 1x drivetrain and his strategy for running MTB tires on gravel. 🎙️ In this episode: The Namibian Roots: Growing up on a farm & the culture shock of moving to Girona. The Olympic MTB Engine: Translating XCO punchiness to the endurance gravel grind. The Swatt Club Vibe: Racing for a team that breaks all the traditional rules. 2026 Season Debrief: A raw look at the exploding level of the European gravel peloton. Race Tactics: Inside his Top 10 finish at Ranxo Gravel. The Tech Check: 1x vs 2x drivetrains, MTB tires on gravel bikes, and road pedals vs. SPD. Listen now and don't forget to hit follow to stay ahead of the peloton! Follow us on: 👉 Instagram: @thegravelpaddock 👉 YouTube 👉 TikTok Follow Alex's journey on: 👉 Instagram @alex_mtb_miller 👉 Strava

EP8 - Benjamin Perry - "The Unbound Mudfest, Traka Heartbreak & The Privateer Reality"

From a spectacular European spring campaign to the brutal reality of the Kansas dirt. We sit down with Canadian globetrotter Ben Perry to debrief the absolute mudfest of Unbound Gravel and the extreme highs and lows of the 2026 season. We cut through the noise to discuss his heartbreaking crash while fighting for the podium at The Traka 360, the heavy mental and financial toll of a DNF in the biggest race of the year, and the harsh reality of the privateer hustle when factory teams are deploying 4 AM recon crews for the mud. Finally, we ask the ultimate question: what is the most valuable career path for a gravel privateer today, and why does winning Unbound change your entire life? In this episode: 00:00 The Transition from Road to Gravel 03:07 The Logistics of a Globetrotting Privateer 06:24 Building Form & The Traka 360 Heartbreak 12:42 The Evolution and Speed of the Front Group 14:04 Unbound 2026: The Mudfest & DNF Reality 30:40 Tech Check: Surviving the Mud & The Bike Setup 38:09 The Privateer Dilemma & Flaws in the Gravel Series 53:55 Bouncing Back & The Next Targets 58:20 Why Winning Unbound Changes Everything Follow Ben’s globetrotter journey: On Instagram: @benjperry The Gravel Paddock takes you inside the professional peloton. Subscribe so you never miss an episode and follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@TheGravelPaddock⁠⁠.

EP7 - Nathan Haas - "Coaching the Dirt, Over-Fueling Myths & The Comparative Mindset Trap"

From a decade in the World Tour to pioneering the European gravel scene, Nathan Haas has seen the sport evolve from the inside out. Now the Director at Team EF Coaching in Girona, Nathan joins the pod to break down the reality of modern gravel training and the extreme professionalization of the peloton. We cut through the noise to discuss the true paradigm shift requiring athletes to work on bike skills and training stimulus variations (instead of just logging empty miles), why the obsession with pushing endless carbs might be ruining your race, and the ultimate danger for any athlete: the comparative mindset. In this episode: 00:00 The Transition from World Tour to Gravel Racing 03:17 The Evolution of Gravel Cycling in Girona 05:07 Technological Advancements in Gravel Bikes 07:47 Training Paradigms for Gravel Athletes 10:39 The Importance of Skills and Nutrition 15:46 Coaching and the Privateer Experience 24:54 Managing Expectations in Competitive Cycling 25:29 The Importance of Social Training 29:19 The Evolution of Gravel Racing 30:06 Professionalism & Safety in Gravel Racing 34:46 Cultural Differences in Gravel Racing (USA vs. Europe) 44:17 Common Training Mistakes in Gravel Pros Follow Nathan's and Team EF Coaching journey: On Instagram: @nathanpeterhaas & @teamefcoaching And discover their training plans on: teamefcoaching.com The Gravel Paddock takes you inside the professional peloton. Subscribe so you never miss an episode and follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@TheGravelPaddock⁠⁠.

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EP6 - Karolina Migoń - “The Traka Rollercoaster, Pas Racing Dynamics & Defending Unbound”

What does it take to go from a heartbreaking crash in a 360km race to fighting for the podium in a 200km race just 24 hours later? In Episode 6, we sit down with Karolina Migoń to debrief one of the most insane displays of resilience the gravel peloton has ever seen. From her background as a software engineer in Switzerland to her "statement" 2025 season where she won The Traka 360 and Unbound back-to-back, Karo has become a powerhouse in the pro ranks. We dive deep into her recent Traka "rollercoaster," her streak of 4th places this season, and the inner workings of the PAS Racing team structure. In this episode, we cover: 00:00 - The Swiss Base: Why she trains in Lausanne instead of the Girona bubble. 07:19 - Going Full Pro: How winning Unbound allowed her to quit her tech job and focus 100% on racing. 10:47 - PAS Racing Dynamics: Team tactics vs. the privateer model in the women's elite field. 13:26 - The 4th Place Streak: Dealing with mechanicals and the mental load of being "so close" to the win. 17:52 - The Traka 2026 Debrief: The lead group crash, the broken frame, and the 24-hour turnaround to race the 200. 33:22 - Bike Setup & Nutrition: Riding blind without navigation, 1x setups, and pushing 90g of carbs/hour. 42:57 - The Ultimate Goal: Defending the title at Unbound Gravel. The Gravel Paddock takes you inside the professional peloton. Subscribe so you never miss an episode and follow us on Instagram: @TheGravelPaddock. Follow Karolina: On Instagram @karo_migon On Strava @Karolina Migoń

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EP5 - Nicole Frain - “The UCI Winning Streak, Women’s Peloton Dynamics & 1x Setups”

From the road to the very front of the global gravel peloton. In Episode 5 of The Gravel Paddock, Antonin Liverset sits down with Nicole Frain, currently one of the most dominant forces on the European circuit. Fresh off an incredible 3-win streak in the UCI Gravel World Series (including a massive solo victory at Wörthersee) and a brutal podium finish at Monaco, Nicole gives us an unfiltered tactical debrief of her season so far. In this episode, we cover: 00:00 - Intro & The Aussie Engine: The transition from Australian National Road Champion to top-tier gravel privateer. 08:30 - The Perfect Season Start: The secrets behind her winning streak, the technical mistake that turned into a "tactical masterclass," and the physical toll of back-to-back racing weekends. 26:14 - Women’s Peloton Dynamics: Are team tactics taking over, or is it still every privateer for themselves? 33:16 - The Data Check: The reality of elite gravel physiology (it's not about 1000W sprints, it's about pushing 210W for 5 hours). 36:11 - The Tech Check: Her Factor Ostro setup, the 1x 13-speed Campagnolo drivetrain, and her exact tire pressures. The Gravel Paddock takes you inside the professional peloton. Subscribe so you never miss an episode and follow us on Instagram: @TheGravelPaddock Follow Nicole's journey: @_nicolelouise_ on Instagram @Nicole Frain on Strava. And find all info about Nicole on her website www.nicolefrain.info

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EP4 - Julian Siemons - “CX Transition, 351W at The Hills & Euro Racing Focus”

How do you transition from explosive 60-minute cyclocross mud fests to surviving brutal 5-hour battles at the front of the professional gravel peloton? In Episode 4 of The Gravel Paddock, we sit down with young Belgian powerhouse Julian Siemons (GVA Gold Gravel Team) for a raw, tactical reality check. Fresh off a massive performance at the Gravel Earth Series event "The Hills" in Italy, Julian drops the filter on what it actually takes to compete in the modern European gravel scene. 🎙️ In this episode, we dive into: The CX Engine: How the traditional Belgian cyclocross school shapes bike handling and the breakaway mindset. "The Hills" Race Debrief: A pure tactical deep dive into the decisive moments, pacing strategies, and a crazy data check: pushing 351W Normalized Power. The Tech Check: The 1x vs 2x drivetrain debate, his exact bike setup with the GVA Gold project, and tire choices. The Pro Calendar: Why the European gravel scene is getting so fast and his upcoming objectives at The Traka. ⏱️ Chapter Markers:00:00 Introduction to Gravel Racing and Julian Siemons03:22 Julian's Transition from Cyclocross to Gravel05:38 Team Dynamics and Strategies in Gravel Racing08:17 Race Debrief: The Hills Race Strategy10:37 Pacing and Endurance in Long Gravel Races12:52 Technical Aspects of Gravel Racing Equipment15:11 Future Goals and Upcoming Races for Julian17:48 The Evolution of Gravel Racing and Personal Aspirations32:57 That's a wrap 🏁 The race starts here. If you enjoyed this deep dive, please hit that follow button and drop a 5-star rating! 📱 Follow the Paddock: Instagram: @thegravelpaddock Guest: @julian_siemons

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EP3 - Annabel Fisher - "The Leadville Crash, 2000m Altitude Life & Dual-Sport Pro Reality"

"People say I'm a walking scar... but I never give up." In Episode 3 of The Gravel Paddock, we sit down with Elite gravel racer and Pro cross-country skier Annabel Fisher. After a dominant start to the season, a horrific crash at the Leadville 100 changed everything. Annabel drops the filter on the physical toll of breaking her hands and sternum, and the brutal reality of the gravel industry when an athlete gets sidelined. But this isn't just a comeback story. We dive into her radical decision to move to 2000m of altitude in the Swiss Alps full-time, the intense logistics of balancing an Elite gravel calendar with a Pro XC Skiing career (targeting the Team GB FIS squad), and why she absolutely doesn't care about cycling power data during a race. No fluff. No filter. The race starts here. 🏁 ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Cold Open & Intro 01:49 - The Brutal Leadville 100 Crash & Recovery 10:06 - The Industry Reality: Being Sidelined as a Pro 14:49 - Engine Building: The 2000m Altitude Life in Engadin 🇨🇭 20:35 - The Dual-Sport Pro: Transitioning from Skis to Gravel 🎿🚲 25:25 - Team GB Ambitions & The 2029 World Championships 28:22 - Tech Check: Ski Wax Geeks vs. Anti-Data Cycling Setup 32:46 - 2026 Race Schedule & Closing Words 📱 Follow The Inside Line: Follow Annabel Fisher on Instagram & on Strava Join the Paddock on Instagram: @TheGravelPaddock Hosted by Antonin Liverset: antoninliverset.com If you enjoyed this deep dive, please leave a 5-star rating and subscribe to the show!

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EP2 - Simon Pellaud - “Privateer Shift, Colombian Prep & Injury Battle”

How do you secure a Top 5 at the brutal Valley of Tears with almost zero training and a bad knee? In Episode 2 of The Gravel Paddock, we sit down with Gravel & Road pro racer Simon Pellaud. We debrief his chaotic start to the 2026 season, diving into the reality of high-altitude winter prep in Colombia and the extreme survival tactics required for the Transcordilleras. Beyond the racing, Simon opens up about the "Privateer Shift", the massive logistical, and mental transition of managing his own global racing program after years in a traditional team structure. No fluff. No filter. The race starts here. 🏁 ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Welcoming Simon Pellaud 02:12 Transitioning from Road to Gravel Racing 07:10 Becoming a Privateer: The Shift in Racing Dynamics 08:03 2026 Goals and Challenges Ahead 11:18 Training in Colombia: The High Altitude Advantage 15:22 Adapting to New Equipment and Injury Management 18:51 Race Debrief: Transcordilleras Experience 23:19 Injury Treatment 27:18 Valley of Tears and Mid South Gravel Insights 34:21 The Tech Check 38:32 Managing Travel as a Privateer 41:16 Mental and Physical Preparation for Upcoming Races 43:24 Conclusion 44:42 Outro 📱 Follow The Inside Line: Follow Simon Pellaud on Instagram & Strava: @simonpellaud Join the Paddock on Instagram: @TheGravelPaddock If you enjoyed this deep dive, please leave a 5-star rating and subscribe to the show!

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EP1 - Gustave Orain - “The Rookie Season Launch”

Debrief of a brutal European gravel season opener with Gustave Orain. We dive into the reality of moving to the Elite ranks, the mud fest at Santa Vall, and the high-speed battles of Castellón UCI. Expect raw tactics, the truth about the privateer life, and a nerdy "Tech Check" covering mud tires, drivetrains, and tire pressures. No fluff. No filter. The race starts here. 🏁