Conditions Favor Colin Strickland, But The UNBOUND Startlists Are STACKED

Emporia, Kansas has been getting increasingly hotter and drier in the days leading up to UNBOUND Gravel, conditions which favor the defending champion from Texas, Colin Strickland. That said, the talent that the 2021 UNBOUND has drawn is immense. There are too many potential winners to count, but Michael and Jessica attempt to highlight the major contenders in the men's and women's 100 and 200 mile events.

In the 100 mile race, look out for the TIBCO duo of Lauren Stephens and Emily Newsome, while Stephen Hyde and Ashton Lambie highlight the men's 100.

Kaysee Armstrong and Rebecca Fahringer pose threats to the likes of Amity Rockwell and Alison Tetrick in the 200 women's field.

The men's 200 field has gone to another level in 2021. Privateers like Strickland, Peter Stetina, and Ted King will go up against WorldTour pros like Matteo Jorgenson, Quinn Simmons and Kiel Reijnen. Meanwhile the contingent of retired WorldTour pros that are dipping their toes into gravel has swelled substantially. Look for Christian Meier, Laurens Ten Dam, Travis McCabe and Thomas Dekker to throw a wrench in the men's field.