Will gravel domestiques rise?

The Evolution of Teamwork in Gravel Racing

Over the past four weeks, I've found myself immersed in road racing more than ever before. For the first time, the men's and women's Tour de France aligned with my training and race calendar, making it impossible to ignore the excitement of the races. Each morning, I eagerly watched the replays of the stages, avoiding my phone as I soaked in the action. This unique timing has allowed me to compare my own experiences in gravel racing with the high-stakes world of professional road cycling.

The contrast between training for gravel races and watching the world's most prestigious road events has been both entertaining and enlightening. I find myself fascinated by the small details—like the use of just one or two gels, the appearance of a team car delivering a new wheel or even an entire bike, and the minimal water bottles on the bikes. It's also eye-opening to realize that tour stages rarely exceed five hours. However, the sheer intensity of 80kph descents in a peloton during rain serves as a reminder that gravel racing isn't as easy as it might seem. I carry 100 ounces of water and thousands of grams of carbs, and I keep my mouth shut.

As someone who has dabbled in various cycling disciplines at the professional level, but ultimately found a career in cyclocross and gravel, I often wonder what elements from road racing will be adopted into gravel racing. One of the biggest questions is whether we'll see official domestiques and gravel teams.

The answer is already yes. We've seen both men and women utilize the help of teammates at some of the biggest races. Riders like Tobin and Keegan have famously pulled off strategic moves, and there have been some notable male/female pairs, though I won't delve into those specifics. On the women’s side, I was part of a team tactic at Unbound last year where I led out a fellow Specialized rider, Geerike Schreurs, for the sprint finish. While this form of "domestique-ing" is already present, it looks quite different from traditional road racing.

Gravel racing typically features individual jerseys, with occasional teams of two or three riders. Unlike road racing, which has established teams with dozens of riders, gravel racing still maintains a more individualistic approach. However, working together can offer advantages, especially when there's a shared sponsor.

At Unbound 2024, Specialized brought together a team of four riders, each opting in for a common goal of getting one of us across the line first. It was a casual yet official arrangement, and while two of us were in the final nine-woman sprint, we had a brief conversation about who had a better sprint. Ultimately, I managed a successful second-place finish.

This year, my Rapha teammates and I approached the race with a more vague idea of how we could support each other. Maude Farrell and I, riding for different brands, decided that if we were in the selection after the first feedzone, she would work for me. It was her choice, and it added a layer of motivation beyond personal gain.

Despite the potential benefits of teamwork, the terrain remains a significant challenge. Gravel is full of variables, and the lack of outside support makes for unpredictable and intense finishes. Even WorldTour racers, supported by teammates, have struggled on the rough roads of Kansas. Reigning gravel world champion Matej Mohorič, despite having a team of riders supporting him, faced mechanical issues and dropped out mid-race.

Team tactics can still offer strategic advantages. Being a great teammate isn't just about providing a draft or chasing down attacks; it can also involve being a mobile bike shop. While road racing sometimes allows teammates to sacrifice their bikes for their leaders, most gravel races prohibit this. At Unbound, riders can share parts and offer assistance, but they must finish on the same frame they started with.

Communication is key, and some teams have found creative ways to collaborate. During this year's Unbound 200, the PAS team used their phones—required for safety—as race radios to communicate with their teammates. This clever approach highlights the evolving nature of teamwork in gravel racing.

I believe we’ll see more collaboration in the coming years. The concept of the gravel domestique will vary between privateers and teams. Cross-team collaboration opens up new possibilities for athletes, while factory teams tend to have more predictable dynamics. Shared goals and bonuses create a clean and straightforward approach.

How these strategies are implemented will develop organically. As rules change and athletes innovate, the sport continues to grow. Currently, the fields aren’t deep enough for domestiques and road strategies to truly take effect. Strong riders often struggle to support each other later in races due to the demanding nature of the events.

While team tactics do play a role, they don’t always determine the final result. Personally, I look forward to the arrival of domestiques and team tactics. I believe it will be great for the sport, as it means more support and more opportunities for riders to make a living. It's a process, and we're in the middle of it now.