Julien Gagne Wins TransRockies Gravel Royale as Challengers Struggle

Stage races are always exciting because of the element of the unknown. The longer the race, the better the competitors know each other, the better they can race each other, and the more likely it is that you’ll push your luck and go too far. Add to that the literal unknown of racing in a remote area of ​​the BC Rocky Mountains and anything can happen.

A lot happened during the last of the three days of the TransRockies Gravel Royale race.

Poutine Mafia rules stage, keeps on rolling

Alexis Cartier and Julien Gagne, the self-made Poutine Mafia, had a firm grip on the 2024 Gravel Royale from day one. Cartier won both stages and entered the final day with a slight advantage over Gagne, who had finished second in a sprint and third in the previous stages. However, the Quebec duo faced an increasing challenge from the combined efforts of Cory Wallace and Carter Nieuwesteeg. The two Rocky Mountain natives, though hailing from different places (Wallace is from Jasper, Alta. and Nieuwesteeg is from Fernie, BC), were determined to defend their homeland.

On Monday, that challenge fell through. Literally. Wallace was doing his best to stay with the two leaders when a large flat tire slowed him considerably. Nieuwesteeg was even less fortunate, reportedly breaking a rim early in the stage and being forced to retire from the race. That left multiple Canadian national cyclocross champion Michael van den Ham to finish third and move up to the overall podium.

But the challenge wasn’t the only upheaval of the day. Gagne chose the final day to launch an attack of her own. Gagne took the win on the final day and also ran 1:14 ahead of Cartier to win the 2024 TrackRockies Gravel Royale overall.

In the true spirit of gravel, the two Quebec riders cycled hundreds of kilometres from the Calgary airport to the race venue at Nipika Mountain Resort. Their extensive cool-down included crossing the province all the way to Vancouver, BC

Chelsee Pummel KO’s Women’s TransRockies Gravel Royale

In the women’s race, Chelsee Pummell of Bozeman, Montana, rode to a clean sweep of the Gravel Royale. The American racer didn’t mess up a single tire in three days in the Rockies and won all three stages.

While Pummel secured the win, there was a challenge for the next step on the podium on the final day. Emma Maaranen of Bend, Oregon, passed Lindsay Glassford of Panorama, BC on the road and did her best to try and climb the GC standings. Glassford lost time but still came in third. That was enough for the BC local to hold on to second place overall in the women’s race, a few minutes ahead of Maaranen.

That concludes the 2024 TransRockies Gravel Royale. Full category and age group results, from the Half Pint and full course events, are live on Zone4.ca

Gravel Royale races return to Nipika Mountain Resort in 2025, once again running August 22-25. Registration for next year’s event opens on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. MST.