Paige Onweller and Cobe Freeburn were crowned USA Cycling Gravel National Champions on Saturday 12 September 2026 in La Crescent, Minnesota, where the region’s famous bluffs and coulees hosted the second straight edition of the 107-mile elite championship course.
Onweller, long a fixture on gravel podiums without a marquee win to match, finally broke through, holding off Sarah Lange by just 2 seconds in 05:19:48. Emma Langley completed the women’s elite podium 5 minutes 29 seconds back, while defending three-time champion Lauren Stephens was denied a fourth straight title, finishing fifth.
In the men’s elite race, Cobe Freeburn, fresh off victory at The Mid South and a podium at SBT GRVL earlier this season, timed his effort to perfection, crossing in 04:38:10. Cole Davis took second, 20 seconds back, with Griffin Easter rounding out the podium 21 seconds behind the winner.
Riders tackled roughly 6,800 feet of climbing on routes threading through the region’s orchards and quarries, with organizers adding new gravel sectors after feedback from last year’s inaugural edition. Both champions now carry the Stars and Stripes jersey into UCI Gravel World Championships in October, as well as the 2027 domestic gravel season.
View USA Cycling Gravel National Championships results for all categories HERE
Photo Credit: USA Cycling
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