This past weekend, two cyclists stood out among the rest at the Highlands Gravel Classic in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Jenna Rinehart and Brennan Wertz emerged victorious, securing their places in the 2024 UCI Gravel World Series.
Wertz had an impressive performance at the race, crossing the finish line in a time of 3:25:20, just ahead of Cobe Freeburn by 12 seconds. Not to be outdone, Rinehart faced challenges early on when her chain came off but managed to catch up with Maude Farrell and Flavia Oliveira Parks. She then surged ahead to take first place in a time of 3:51:55.
The course for the Highlands Gravel Classic was a challenging one, covering a distance of 67.6 miles (109km) with over 7,000 feet (2,100m) of climbing. The majority of the terrain was made up of gravel roads and proved to be a test for even the most experienced cyclists. Despite this, both Rinehart and Wertz persevered and emerged as champions at the end of the race.
In an Instagram post after his victory, Wertz expressed his excitement about qualifying for the UCI Gravel World Championships later this year in Belgium. He thanked his team and supporters for their help in getting him there. Meanwhile, Rinehart also shared her excitement about her win and looked forward to continuing her journey in elite cycling competition.
