On the race’s milestone tenth anniversary Brendan Johnston (GIANT GRAVEL) and Courtney Sherwwell claimed commanding victories at the Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG) this past Sunday in Australia, both just hours after winning the Otway Odyssey MTB race.
Johnston, 34, conquered the rugged terrain of Victoria’s Otway Ranges in dominant fashion, crossing the line with a time of 3:10:20 to take the men’s gravel crown. Harry Bebbington gave chase but ultimately finished 3 minutes adrift in second place, clocking 3:13:38. James Clay rounded out the men’s podium in 3:21:49, nearly 12 minutes behind the winner – a gap that speaks to Johnston’s exceptional pace on the day.
The battle for fourth and fifth was competitive, with Hayden James finishing in 3:25:45 and John Davis close behind at 3:27:22. Noah Crispe, Karl Michelin-Beard, Adam Blazevic, Brent Rees, and Tasman Nankervis completed the men’s Top 10.
In the women’s race, 2024 Australian Gravel National Champion Courtney Sherwell, 37, delivered a commanding performance, finishing in 3:54:44 – a time that would have placed her well inside the men’s Top 20. Sophie Byrne rode strongly to second place in 4:03:27, with Wendy McAlpine not far behind in third at 4:05:41.
The remaining women’s challengers saw a larger finishing spread, with Morgan Stewart taking fourth in 4:26:54 and Milana Freer fifth in 4:29:30. Monique De Abreu, Eve Conyers, Kayla McSporran, Kate Finegan, and Lizzie Gray rounded out the women’s Top Ten.
Jase De Puit (1:41:09) and Sophie Byrne (1:51:47) also earned top honors, winning he shorter 49km gravel race for the men and women respectively.
Over 300 graveleurs participated GOGG, part of the amateur Gran Fondo World Tour® series.
Full 2026 Great Otway Gravel Grind results HERE
Photo Credit: Instagram/granfondoworldtour
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