THE TRAKA CATAPULTS VAKOC AND SCHIFF TO THE TOP OF THE GRAVEL EARTH SERIES
The victory of the Czech Petr Vakoc in The Traka 200K places him as new leader of the circuit
German Carolin Schiff repeats victory in Girona to take the lead in the Gravel Earth Series
The first Gravel Earth Global is a reality. After the first five episodes of the year, Girona welcomed the worldwide gravel community for The Traka, the first big event of the year. The Gravel Earth Series brings together the most genuine and inspiring events on the earth. 20 events in 13 countries, five of which receive Gravel Earth Global status awarding 1.000 points to the winner; in the remaining events the winner receives 750 points. The two best scores of the season will be added to the result of the Gravel Earth Final, where victory is awarded 1.500 points.
Petr Vakoc and Carolin Schiff landed in Girona as winners of La Santa Vall and Utopia Gravel Fest respectively. Both were the two great protagonists of The Traka 200K and added a new triumph in the Gravel Earth Series. The Czech won after a breathtaking sprint finish, while the German repeated the victory obtained last year. This result placed them directly as leaders of the Gravel Earth Series with 1.750 points, the highest possible score that can be obtained to date. They can only improve this result, before the Gravel Earth Final, by finishing in the top five in the other four Gravel Earth Global races to be held. However, this point haul already places them as a strong contenders for final glory.
In The Traka 200K, the Dutch Jasper Ockeloen finished second to also take second place in the overall ranking. In the women side, Klara Sofie Skogvard is in fourth place after finishing behind Schiff. As of today, the position is anecdotal, but all these riders are scoring points to make their bid. This is also the case for the Dutch Hans Becking, currently fourth.
The other favorite distance in Girona, The Traka 360K, also awarded 1,000 points. The North American Peter Stetina and the Polish Karolina Migon achieved the victory to obtain the maximum score. A result that combined with another good performance during the year will have a lot of value before the Gravel Earth Final. In fact, Migon is already third. In second position we find the Dutch Geerike Schreurs, second also in The Traka 360K. In the men’s ranking, the great performances of the American Chad Haga and the Frenchman Alexys Brunel put them in the Top5.
Everything is still to be decided, but The Traka has shown the cards of all the bikers. The leading names in Girona will be the protagonists throughout the circuit. This has just begun, there are still many events to be disputed, including four Gravel Earth Global, to continue adding points before the battle of the battles. It should be remembered that the final ranking takes into account the two best scores of the year, plus the result of the grand final. Ranxo will host the Gravel Earth Final on the weekend of 12 and 13 October.
GRAVEL EARTH SERIES MEN RANKING
1. Petr Vakoc (CZE) / Canyon – 1750 pt
2. Jasper Ockeloen (NED) / Canyon – 1466 pt
3. Chad Haga (USA) / PAS Racing – 1462 pt
4. Hans Becking (NED) / Buff Megamo – 1450 pt
5. Alexys Brunel (FRA) / Groove Gravel – 1418 pt
6. Simen Nordahl Svendsen (NOR) / Pas Racing – 1414 pt
7. Asbjorn Hellemose (DEN) / Swatt Club – 1306 pt
8. Seth Hakizimana (RWA) / Team Amani – 1296 pt
9. Benjamin Perry (CAN) / Groove Gravel – 1274 pt
10. Mattia de Marchi (ITA) / Enough Cycling – 1190 pt
GRAVEL EARTH SERIES WOMEN RANKING
1. Carolin Schiff (GER) / Canyon CLLCTV – 1750 pt
2. Geerike Schreurs (NED) / SD Worx – 1670 pt
3. Karolina Migon (POL) / Pas Racing – 1570 pt
4. Klara Sofie Skovgard (DEN) / Pas Racing – 1562 pt
5. Svenja Betz (GER) / Reverb Cycling – 1478 pt
6. Axelle Dubau-Prevot (FRA) / Groove Gravel – 1440 pt
7. Jade Treffeisen (GER) / Canyon CLLCTV – 11334 pt
8. Xaverine Nirere (RWA) / Team Amani – 1296 pt
9. Anuchi Gago (ESP) / Reverb Cycling – 1260 pt
10. Danielle Shrosbree (GBR) / Privateer – 1234 pt