Hydration Hacks, Hallucinations & Heroic Moves – Unbound Gravel 2025
Where strategy, and a little Deadhead magic defined the race.
Hydration Hacks, Hallucinations & Heroic Moves – Unbound Gravel 2025
Where strategy, grit, and a little Deadhead magic defined the day.
Video from Brian Co of Veloworthy
Karolina Migoń (PAS Racing) delivered a dominant solo win in the elite women’s Unbound 200, finishing over eight minutes ahead of teammate Cecily Decker. Migoń made her move with about 50 miles to go, riding away from a strong lead trio that included Decker and American gravel champ Lauren Stephens. Her setup? A burly mix of a 45mm Schwalbe RS in the rear and a 2.1 Thunder Burt up front—perfect for the demanding Kansas course.
📸 Check out her race-day bike here (via PAS Racing).
She’s now three-for-three this month, adding Unbound to her wins at The Traka 360 and Gravel Locos. Big run, big ride. And while Migoń earned her first Unbound crown, last year’s champ Rosa Klöser couldn’t repeat.
Decker’s ride for second was gutsy. After missing a key early feed and running low on hydration, she pushed through a fog of fatigue, hallucinations, and—reportedly—Grateful Dead tunes playing in her headphones. Gravel’s tough, but that’s next level.
Underdogs & Overachievers
The men’s race brought a shakeup too. Cameron Jones (Scott-Shimano), left off the Life Time Grand Prix roster, rode with something to prove—and he proved it. After breaking clear with Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling) around mile 50, Jones stayed smooth and smart, launching his winning move on Highland Hill with just two miles to go. That final punch sealed his breakthrough victory and earned him a wildcard entry into the Grand Prix series.
Pellaud, always animated, couldn’t match the final surge—he’d lost his energy gels mid-race and was running on fumes. Still, post-race, he kept the entertainment going with gladiator-level drama: “Are you not entertained?” Yes, Simon. Yes, we were.
Rose Bikes (Germany) also kept the momentum going in the women’s race, backing up their 2024 performances with another strong showing—proof that gravel’s hierarchy is far from set in stone.
Tech Talk: Tires, Valves & What Actually Worked
One trend gaining traction among pros: ditching hydration packs in favor of water bladders tucked into the front of jerseys or on top tube. Why? It keeps the back cooler, shifts weight lower, and some riders even claim it creates a slight aero cone effect. That cooling edge matters—especially when things go sideways out there.
Keegan Swenson stayed true to his minimalist, race-forward setup—rolling a 50mm Rambler on a rigid fork, road pedals, and a 50t chainring paired to a 10–46 cassette. Notably, he carried his phone on board, possibly for communication. Meanwhile, Alexey Vermeulen opted for a more balanced configuration: 50mm front, 45mm rear tires, a 52/34 2x drivetrain, and an 11–34 cassette. One pro rider took rolling feed from suppoort staff on a bike in feed zone.
Keegan Swenson’s rim setup had people talking— the double-valve system on each wheel. The tech, used to manage pressure and sealant chambers separately, could be a marginal gain or just an experiment, depending on who you ask. Either way, it stood out. Here’s the deep dive from CyclingNews.
Want to geek out on setups? Sure, pre-race bike check videos are fun—but let’s be honest: many of those bikes aren’t fully race-prepped. They’re often missing tire plugs, sealant top-offs, CO2 canisters, and hydration systems riders actually use on race day. At Unbound, the real story was on the top tube and behind the saddle: taped-on Dynaplugs, tubeless repair bacon strips, extra gels, and mini tools stuffed into bento boxes and custom frame bags. Behind the seat, riders strapped water bottles, spare tubes, and in some cases, full-size pumps or extra shoes (yes, really). This isn't just backup—it's battle gear. If you want to know what actually worked, study the finish-line bikes, not the pristine ones on the expo lawn. That’s where the real race-day choices show up, caked in mud and grit-tested mile after mile.
Cameron Jones' Scott-Shimano rig clearly delivered. Check out his full bike check here. Shimano with XL and 200 wins.
