The first ever USA Gravel National Championships took place Saturday 9 September in Nebraska with 39 riders awarded stars ‘n stripes national champion’s jerseys. Keegan Swenson (SANTA CRUZ BICYCLES – SRAM) and Lauren Stephens (EF EDUCATION-TIBCO-SVB) captured the elite national titles in the men’s and women’s races respectively, with each taking home a $12,000 USD payout.

Swenson continued his run of impressive wins this season, including Unbound and multiple LifeTime Grand Prix events, finishing the 131 mile national championship race with an 18 second lead over Alexey Vermeulen, Brennan Wertz and Payson Mcelveen.

Lauren Stephens soloed to victory in the women’s race, adding a second USA national championship to her palmarès. The 2021 USA road national champion finished in 6:45:33, defeating top riders Alexis Skarda, Crystal Anthony, Lauren De Crescenzo and Jenna Rinehart by many minutes.

37 amateur gravel racers also claimed USA national titles:

Roczen Beissel (M 11-12), Anna Morozowich (W 11-12)

Oliver Welcker (M 15-16), Kylie De Jager (W 15-16)

Preston Ronick (M 13-14), Laura Carlin (W 13-14)

Jonas Woodruff (M 17-18), Lauren Weigel (W 17-18)

Andrew Nicholas (M 19-34), Danielle Estenssoro (W 19-34)

Jesse Siemen (M 35-39), Ivy Pedersen (W 35-39)

Jurd Hurd (M 40-44), Terry Casey (W 40-44)

Andrew Knight (M 45-49), Mary Breed (W 45-49)

Greg Scanlan (M 50-54), Amy Phillips (W 50-54)

Victor Sheldon (M 55-59), Tracey Jacobs (W 55-59)

Chris Carlson (M 60-64), Mary Jimenez (W 60-64)

Frank Winters(M 65-69), Grace Plager (W 65-69)

George Heagerty (M 70-74), Kristine Johnson (W 70-74)

Tom Groves (M 75-79)

Whitney Fanning (M 90+) added a fourth 2023 national champion’s jersey to his ever growing collection!

Peter Olejniczak (M Singlespeed), Casandra Dickerson(W Singlespeed)

Michael Murphy (M Para Visually Impaired)

Joe Pomeroy (M Para H3), Danielle Bend (W Para H3)

Josh Sweeney (M Para H5)

Allison Jones (W Para C2)

Justin Mathers (M Para C3)

Kyle Pitman (M Para C5)

Photo Credit: Facebook/NCNCA

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