CORE4: IOWA DELIVERS THE PENULTIMATE CHAPTER OF THE 2026 GRAVEL EARTH SERIES
The Gravel Earth Series crossed the Atlantic for one last American chapter before the season finale. On August 15, CORE4 welcomed the series to Iowa City, Iowa, for the penultimate stop of the 2026 season — and delivered a day of racing that felt every bit as distinctive as the place itself.
CORE4 has never tried to be just another gravel race. Its identity comes from mixing everything Iowa has to offer: fast champagne gravel, rugged B-roads, flowing singletrack and stretches of pavement, all woven together through farmland, forests, river crossings and the landscapes surrounding Iowa City. Four surfaces, one race, and a simple philosophy: no surface untouched.
But what makes CORE4 special goes beyond the course. Alex, Rachel and the entire CORE4 team have built an event deeply connected to their home and their community. From Wilson’s Orchard, where the weekend comes to life, to the volunteers and people waiting out on course, Iowa showed exactly why territory and community remain such an important part of the Gravel Earth Series.
SCHREURS, ON HER OWN
In the women’s PRO race, Geerike Schreurs delivered a huge performance to take the victory in 5:49:05, finishing more than 18 minutes ahead of Emily Newsom, second in 6:07:37.
Behind them, the fight for the podium remained much tighter. Crystal Anthony completed the top three in 6:13:18, with Flavia Oliveira Parks crossing the line just 20 seconds later. Peta Mullens rounded out the top five.
PRO WOMEN — TOP 5
- Geerike Schreurs — 5:49:05
- Emily Newsom — 6:07:37
- Crystal Anthony — 6:13:18
- Flavia Oliveira Parks — 6:13:38
- Peta Mullens — 6:16:35
KONGSTAD TAKES IT AFTER A FIGHT TO THE LINE
The men’s race couldn’t have been more different.
After more than five hours of racing, everything came down to the final seconds. Tobias Mørch Kongstad took the CORE4 victory in 5:15:28, with Cole Davis just four seconds behind.
Adam Roberge completed the podium only seconds later, followed by Julien Gagne and Benjamin Perry in a top five separated by just 25 seconds.
A full day across Iowa, decided right at the end.
PRO MEN — TOP 5
- Tobias Mørch Kongstad — 5:15:28
- Cole Davis — 5:15:32
- Adam Roberge — 5:15:25
- Julien Gagne — 5:15:39
- Benjamin Perry — 5:15:53
THANK YOU, IOWA
CORE4 was the penultimate stop of a season that has taken the Gravel Earth Series through very different countries, landscapes and gravel cultures.
Iowa added its own chapter.
A different kind of gravel. A race with a strong local identity. And, above all, a group of people who opened their home to the Gravel Earth Series and made everyone feel part of it.
Thank you to Alex, Rachel, the entire CORE4 organisation, every volunteer and everyone who spent the weekend with us.
This one will stay with us for a while.
NEXT STOP: THE LAST DANCE
And now, there’s only one left.
After a season around the world, the 2026 Gravel Earth Series heads back to Europe for its final stop.
The River By The Traka.
Bouillon, Belgium.
September 6, 2026.
The Belgian Ardennes. The Semois. One final start line.
The Last Dance.
