Mattia De Marchi is a legend of The Traka. He’s received the distinguished gravel race, the 360km distance, 3 times in a row, and in 2023 the victory aided him within the general title on the inaugural Gravel Earth Sequence. However Unbound Gravel has been an evasive goal, till he landed the ultimate spot on a five-rider podium this yr within the 200-mile US endurance take a look at.
The Italian has a giant engine which he makes use of to mow down hilly terrain, lengthy distances and rocky roads, so Unbound Gravel fits the previous highway rider’s abilities. Nonetheless, his first two appearances ended with thirteenth and forty first finishes.
In his new strategy to Unbound, De Marchi used a phrase typically repeated by any veteran from the Flint Hills – “luck” – and he additionally talked about decreasing stress and recognising margins. The luck is having no main mechanicals. “Possibly it’s the finest day of your life, however if you happen to don’t have luck, possibly not,” he stated. The margins embrace an edge with psychological energy and confidence in racing tools.
“After just a few hours of racing I stated to myself ‘sufficient working with the worry of one thing going improper! Push and have enjoyable!’ Happy with my fifth place,” De Marchi posted to Instagram a day after his fifth place at Unbound Gravel 200.
He raced Unbound on unreleased variable depth Fulcrum wheels, Sharq, on his Basso body. He tipped his cap to these wheels giving him added confidence on a dry day throughout the prairie that ended with the quickest instances ever set on the 200-mile course, Lachlan Morton (EF Schooling-EasyPost) profitable a two-up dash towards Chad Haga (PAS Racing) in 9:11:47.
De Marchi would comply with in a bunch of three to set the Life Time Unbound podium, outpacing a robust area that included reigning gravel World Champion Matej Mohoric, reigning Unbound champion Keegan Swenson, Paris-Roubaix and Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet and Joris Nieuwenhuis, silver medalist on the 2024 Cyclocross World Championships.
“Saturday is simply 10 hours within the race, however the different hours within the week are extra essential. It’s only a race, and I don’t wish to put lots of stress in my physique. I find it irresistible, I really like this case. It’s only a race,” De Marchi informed Cyclingnews.
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De Marchi spent the week in Emporia, Kansas with Sufficient Biking workers and two teammates, US native and runner-up on the 2024 Santa Val gravel stage race Morgan Aguirre and former highway professional Frank Bettini. His first cease on the town was at WalMart to buy provides for his crew, and after the competitors it was all about “possibly pizza, barbecue, drink some beer”.
“The primary rule when coming in [to race] is go to the market and purchase lots of pasta. The times earlier than the race is like pasta for each dinner or lunch. And also you want possibly some junk meals in your thoughts,” he stated each lightheartedly and critically.
In his recons of the north course, having arrived simply 4 days earlier than the race, De Marchi stated he was glad to not see a lot mud, however he knew to count on the sudden in gravel.
“The primary yr, I bear in mind it began with no rain and the final 4 hours, I misplaced the highest 10 as a result of I don’t use my glasses due to mud, and my eyes, I noticed nothing. Final yr, the final three hours was completely completely different, the storm and lots of rain the day earlier than [made it muddy].
“Usually in Italy, it’s fairly rocky. The gravel there, for me, is very easy and fairly regular. I really like the climb and Unbound is just not flat, proper? It’s a problem for me, and a possibility.”
This yr he solely targetted Unbound for a one-week journey to the US and didn’t journey early to compete at Gravel Locos, the place he had a high 10 in 2023. He this yr was much less hectic and he was in a greater situation, mentally in addition to bodily. Headed again to Europe, his summer season programme will embrace the Italian Gravel Championships on June 30 within the Pavia hills at Golferenzo.
“The plan is Safari Gravel the UCI race in Kenya earlier than Migration Gravel. And after that, I’ve Italian Championships. And after that, Reminiscence Gravel and possibly The Rift. After that, I don’t know. I actually focus this yr for World Championships as a result of it’s actually quick.”
His crew sponsor hosts the Reminiscence Bike Journey, July 9-14, an unsupported, 700km bikepacking journey in northern Italy that hyperlinks landmarks from the First World Battle. He stated he added that to his calendar as properly.
At age 33, De Marchi has discovered his candy spot on gravel.
“The dream of simply driving the Giro d’Italia won’t ever disappear utterly. However for now, that dream is parked behind my thoughts,” De Marchi had informed Sufficient Biking founder Federico Damiani. “Once in a while I’ll give it some thought, however I modified my perspective.”
