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Follow us on GoogleUnbound Gravel 2026 is over. Mads Würtz Schmidt won after an impressive solo, but as with Paris-Roubaix, every rider has his own story in this race. Among those who failed to reach the finish in Emporia on Saturday’s 200-mile event were Thomas Dekker, Romain Bardet, Thomas De Gendt and Ivar Slik.
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Bardet has been in the United States for a while as part of a family trip. The Frenchman, who retired last year, has also already built up some strong gravel credentials, with wins in RADL and more recently Rule of Three. He also finished fifth at the Traka.
At Unbound, Bardet found himself on the back foot after the muddy first section, but he still managed to pass some riders. In the end, his race ended after 163 kilometres. “Unbound Carnage,” was his telling Strava title. “Without a chain guide you had no chance.” Bardet counted his blessings and stepped off.
De Gendt misses the finish despite a strong start
Thomas De Gendt was perhaps the most recognisable Belgian name on the start list. The pure rouleur, made for long efforts like Unbound, was in the mix for a top-10 result for a long time, until he disappeared from the intermediate timings.
What happened? “An unrepairable puncture, while I was riding in the top 15,” the former rider said. In the end, Daan Soete was the best Belgian in the results, in sixth place.
Continue reading below the Strava post!
Lachlan Morton abandons early
Lachlan Morton also abandoned the race. The EF Education-EasyPost rider was among the early names to disappear from contention in the brutal conditions, as the mud, crashes and mechanical trouble took their toll across the course.
Morton’s departure added to the long list of high-profile DNFs in a race that became a survival test rather than a normal gravel event. Morton suffered a crash early on in the race, injuring his hip. He was checked for concussion by the race medical team but deemed to be ok.
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still figuring out cyclocross: do the riders use the same bikes for the grass, sand and mud, or change them during the race?jeremya02-11-2026
- £50 seems a bit steep for a day out, though I suppose it’s a major event and the demand is clearly there. Do family tickets make it much more affordable?tourdeforce902-11-2026
- Fifteen thousand is a serious crowd for a World Cup round. Glasgow could be a huge moment for British ‘cross if Mason can get near the podium again.jennifer1902-11-2026
- Those junior races are a great addition — it gives young riders a proper spotlight before the elites take over. Hope the course makes the most of the park rather than just being a muddy spectator scrum!samanthak02-11-2026
- Fantastic to see cyclocross getting this kind of response in Scotland. A packed Kelvingrove Park should make for a brilliant atmosphere, especially with Mason racing on home roads.raceready702-11-2026
- No explanation after 15 years feels a bit thin. The budget pressure may be unrelated, but it’s hard not to wonder if all these changes are connected.samanthak02-11-2026
- I’m still learning how team directors work—does the head sports director decide race tactics, or is that mainly down to the riders and the person in the team car?velodromevirtuoso102-11-2026
- A proper changing of the guard at EF, especially with Carapaz going too. Hope they don’t lose the team identity in the reshuffle.cadencekingm02-11-2026
- White coming back just before Wegelius leaves makes the timing look significant, even if EF haven’t said there’s a connection. Interested to see who gets the head DS role.raceready702-11-2026
- Fifteen years is a huge stint in modern cycling. Wegelius’ knowledge of EF and its riders will be hard to replace.robert6502-11-2026