SBT GRVL®: Redefining Gravel Racing with a Spectator-Friendly Format

Words by James Ion - Photography provided by SBT GRVL®.

Gravel racing has long prided itself on its accessibility, inclusivity, and a unique connection between amateur riders and professionals. But while the sport has grown in prestige, it has struggled to capture a live audience. Unlike road races or mountain bike events, where fans can gather along key sections of the course, gravel races often unfold in remote locations with little to no live coverage. SBT GRVL®, powered by Wahoo, is aiming to change that.

"We’re really excited about the new format," says Ryan Steers, Director of Marketing at SBT GRVL®. "It’s something unique, and we’re eager to see how it plays out this year. It’ll be interesting to see if other events start adopting this model and how it evolves."

The redesigned SBT GRVL® weekend is similar in style to what we Europeans can enjoy at major road events like Paris-Roubaix, where amateurs can ride the course on Saturday and then watch the pros compete on Sunday. Steamboat’s iteration brings that concept to the gravel world, creating a dynamic event that caters to riders of all levels while enhancing the spectator experience.

"It’s really the first of its kind in gravel," Ryan explains. "You’re right, this kind of format has been done for years in road racing, especially in Europe. But I think it’ll be interesting to see how that separation works in gravel."

Saturday will retain its traditional format, with mass participation rides across multiple distances. Sunday, however, is where the real shift happens: an elite-level circuit race as well as an amateur race, in Hayden, Colorado, designed for both competitive fairness and maximum spectator engagement.

"We’re working on making the event as family-friendly as possible," says Amy Charity, the founder and creator of SBT GRVL®. "We’re partnering with local businesses in Steamboat and Hayden to have activities like a Kid’s Zone, meetups in the on-course Spectator Zone, food trucks, music, and more."

The new format also introduces a structured "race bubble" system, designed to maintain competition integrity while keeping amateur and pro races separate, and maximising safety.

"Each group stays within its designated bubble, and the race is controlled within that bubble," Amy explains. "It works similarly to a road race; once you’re outside of your group, you revert to following the standard road rules."

The course itself presents a serious challenge. Amateurs will take on a 70-mile course with 5,500 feet of climbing, while the pros will race 110 miles with 7,000 feet of elevation gain.

"We’ve staggered the start times so that the amateurs will complete two laps, while the pros will do three," Ryan says. "This setup minimises passing and reduces congestion on the course."

While SBT GRVL® remains an open event, the team is mindful of how to balance accessibility with competitive integrity. "We want to make sure we have a space for everyone," Amy says. "There’s definitely a group of people who don’t want to race pro, whether they’re retired, a little slower, or up-and-coming, but they also want to do more than just a casual ride."

One of the biggest hurdles in gravel racing has been making the sport more engaging for spectators. Unlike road racing, where entire towns line the streets for events like the Tour de France, gravel has largely remained a niche, participant-focused experience.

Ryan agrees. "We’ve dabbled in live streaming before, but we think this format makes spectating a real possibility. With our setup, you’ll see the riders at the start, the finish, and at least three times on course if you’re at one of our watch parties. That makes for a much more engaging experience."

SBT GRVL® isn’t just about racing, it’s about fostering community and inclusivity. From its inception, the event has placed a strong emphasis on diversity and accessibility.

"We continue to work hard to engage our local community", Amy says. "We have a dedicated Community Relations Director, whose role started with advocacy and has grown into broader community outreach. Some examples of what we’ve done in the past couple of years is host quarterly local social events, send letters to every on-course residence, and place information signs throughout the course. Additionally, we personally visited 400 homes along the course, knocking on doors to let people know about the event and answer any questions."

The event has focused on inclusivity since the outset, and this year is dedicated to getting more women, juniors, and underrepresented groups into gravel racing. "We’re part of the USA Cycling National Junior Gravel Series," Amy adds. We’ve also launched the GRVL® Femmes Challenge to get more women on the start line for Sunday’s race.

With SBT GRVL® pioneering a more spectator-friendly format, could this be the blueprint for the future of gravel racing?

The event’s evolution also raises questions about gravel’s growing intersection with traditional race structures. While some might worry about losing Gravel’s free-spirited roots, Amy and Ryan believe in striking a balance.

"One of our core values is fairness," Amy says. "That’s why we’ve always structured the race to give everyone an equal experience, for example, no outside support, no call-ups, no advantages for the top racers that others don’t get. We want results to be determined by performance, not by external factors."

Beyond its role as a race, SBT GRVL® embraces its Colorado heritage, from its ranching roots to its ski-town energy.

"Steamboat is a ski town, but it’s also a ranching town," Ryan says. "We have more than 600 miles of gravel roads, and these aren’t just empty roads, they’re active, working ranches."

The event embraces this Western spirit, awarding finishers with high-quality Stetson cowboy hats and encouraging participants to take in the local culture. "There’s a rodeo every weekend in the summer," Ryan notes. "A lot of our participants finish the hill climb and then just walk 200 yards to the rodeo to watch an amazing Colorado tradition."

As SBT GRVL® continues to evolve, its organisers remain focused on creating an event that serves both elite racers and everyday riders. It’s not just about who crosses the finish line first; it’s about the entire experience, from the challenge of the course to the camaraderie of race weekend.

"We’ve built something that appeals to every type of cyclist," Amy says. "Whether you’re a pro looking for a serious race or an amateur wanting to ride an amazing course and take in the whole weekend experience, we’ve made sure there’s a place for you."

With its innovative format, strong community engagement, and commitment to inclusivity, SBT GRVL® might just be setting the standard for the future of gravel racing.

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So, as is expected from race previews, who do we think will win this year's event, with its new circuit format?

Womens Race:

Our Top Three favourites are: Cecily Decker, Karolina Mignon, and reigning Champion Lauren Stephens. It goes almost without saying that the two PAS Racing riders, Decker and Mignon, are on fire, especially the power-packed Pole. Stephens is coming off the back of some stellar road results and is, of course, reigning champion. However, if we were to put our necks out, we would go for Decker to take the win.

Mens Race:

It's a packed field in the men's race, past winners, up-and-coming stars, and experienced veterans, but for us, it is hard to look past current champion Keegan Swenson. He has talked about how he is excited about the new format and has shown already this year that he can excel in circuit racing, winning at Sea Otter. Behind him, we think that Alexey Vermeulen will push him all the way, and we have a feeling about Pete Stetina, there is an edge to him, and we think he could upset the party.

However, the race unfolds, it is going to be intense racing from the start, and make for some compelling viewing! Who do you think will win?