In this episode, Thomas sits down with Paul for a discussion that's part update, part deep dive into the Monuments of Gravel.
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Paul's Recent Adventures & Race Recaps
Paul kicks things off by sharing tales from his busy past few weeks since Unbound. He talks about his last races, *Blåvandshuk Gravel* in Denmark and Eislek Gravel Luxembourg. He also spills the beans on a recent multi-day trip to Spain for a special project involving a new ABUS gravel helmet he helped develop Find out what it's like to ride through a desert in 40-degree heat for a film shoot.
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Rad am Ring Preview
Looking ahead, Paul shares his expectations and tips for the upcoming Rad am Ring gravel race in the Eifel region of Germany. What tire size does he recommend? What kind of course can participants expect? And who are the key contenders to watch at the pointy end of the field? If you're racing Rad am Ring, this is a must-listen!
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The "Monuments of Gravel"
Then, we talk about Thomas's new classification system for gravel races. With the gravel calendar becoming increasingly packed, how do we distinguish between events? Is it time to have a classification system? Thomas thought so and recently released his take on it over on his The Gravel Stack newsletter.
In this episode, he runs his preliminary list of the five Monuments of Gravel by Paul to get his opinions and feedback. Join Thomas and Paul as they debate the merits of each race, considering factors like prize money, media production, historical significance, and the overall rider experience. This lively discussion will make you rethink what truly defines a "monument" in the rapidly evolving world of gravel cycling.
The Five Tiers of Gravel Races post: https://thegravelstack.substack.com/p/the-five-tiers-of-gravel-races