Still Something to Prove!

Words James Ion - Photography Brett Rothmeyer

Few have captured the grit and spirit of gravel racing like Keegan Swenson. Born on February 16, 1994, in the picturesque backdrop of Park City, Utah, Keegan's love for the outdoors was practically ingrained in his DNA. Yet, the path he carved for himself was as rugged and exhilarating as the mountain trails he conquered.

Early Beginnings and Mountain Biking Success

Keegan's love affair with cycling began in his childhood, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of Utah and parents who shared a passion for biking. His initial foray into competitive sports was through downhill skiing, but it wasn't long before the allure of mountain biking took precedence. Playing in the epic backyard of Park City his transition to mountain biking was seamless, and he quickly found success on the national and international stage.

In 2012, he clinched the National Junior Championships in cross-country mountain biking and continued to make a mark with podium finishes at the Pan American Junior Championships and the UCI Junior World Cup. His talent and determination led him to the Cannondale Factory Team, where he raced worldwide, gaining invaluable experience and racking up victories, including multiple national titles.

The Gravel Racing Phenomenon

While Keegan has tasted success in various cycling disciplines, gravel racing is where he has truly made his mark. 

Keegan's passion for racing is palpable. "Win or not, it is about getting the best out of myself," he says. "But I love winning, I love racing!" His competitive nature is undeniable, whether he's leading the pack at the Leadville Trail 100 MTB or taking on the challenge of the Unbound Gravel 200. His list of victories is extensive, with wins at the Belgian Waffle Ride, Crusher in the Tushar, and Sea Otter Fuego XL, among others. He has truly shown his domination in the Life Time Grand Prix which he has won for the past three seasons. Keegan’s ability to ride off the front, leaving competitors questioning their life choices, is nothing short of legendary. In 2024, he clinched victories at Sea Otter, Leadville, and Chequamegon as well as second place at Big Sugar, the only blip being Unbound where he finished, by his standards, a lowly 24th, although he was a marked man, his rivals never let him get away and let him chase down any breakaway attempts making it impossible for him to get a result, only highlighting the respect and wariness his competitors have for him.

Despite his dominance and success, the expectations he puts on himself weigh the most. “In a way, the pressure is from myself; it just gets higher each year," he admits. "With the results, it also becomes expected of me—‘he won last year, he will do it again.’”

How then does he stay so motivated, it could be easy to believe his own hype, become complacent, yet he is continually at the front, winning races, breaking records and having fun doing it too. “Every year it’s getting harder,” Keegan muses. “Every year I still have something to prove. The first GP, the competition was not as high, but as the bar has been raised again and again, I have had to improve to show that I can win, to prove to myself and the rest, that is what keeps me going, to get the best out of myself.”

His achievements are even more impressive considering the increasing competition from World Tour riders entering the gravel scene. “Yeah, that is a motivator, to show them I can compete with them,” Keegan says with quiet confidence.

The Secret to Success

So, what’s the secret sauce behind Keegan’s success? Surprisingly, it’s not some groundbreaking training regimen, but rather the power of music. “I put my playlist on to get pumped and then go race!” he reveals with a chuckle. However, he doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the importance of hard work. Keegan’s training involves gruelling weeks of 30 to 40 hours of cycling, strength training, and meticulous attention to nutrition and recovery. Planning plays a key role on race day where he makes sure he knows all the key sectors along the route, where to pick the right lines, and where best to attack “I do this for each race, but it also comes down to instincts if I see an opportunity I take it!” 

The Future of Gravel Racing

Keegan is not just focused on his achievements; he's also passionate about the future of gravel racing. "The direction it is taking is a good thing, to become a more professional sport," he reflects. However, he acknowledges the challenges of making gravel racing more spectator-friendly. "If no one is watching, then it won't attract the sponsors," he notes. However, he acknowledges the challenges ahead, "I love the West Cowboy GRVL races, but races like Unbound are hard to film, let alone watch. There needs to be a better way to engage with the audience.” 

He is excited about new formats, like the upcoming SBT GRVL circuit race, which promises to be more spectator-friendly and engaging. The new format at SBT GRVL is set to debut in 2025. This circuit race promises to enhance spectator engagement and safety, potentially setting a template for the future of gravel racing. "It's appealing as it ticks a lot of boxes," Keegan notes with enthusiasm.

The LifeTime Grand Prix is also set to introduce a new format, with a more balanced mix of gravel and mountain bike races. Keegan is particularly looking forward to the Little Sugar race, which features more XC mountain biking elements. “Having one drop race will make it a lot easier” he reflects “Little Sugar will play to my strengths and the new fact that there is a payday at every race will just make the competition higher!” 

He won’t be racing alone though as in 2025 he will be riding for the htSQD alongside his old friend Tobin Ortenblad “It’s just cool to have a team,” he smiles, “In the races, the selection doesn’t always play out where you need a team, but to have friends around you it just makes it much cooler, to have someone to share the success with.”

Looking ahead, Keegan has set his sights on the Marathon MTB Worlds in 2025. "It's a big goal for me," he says with determination. But what about the allure of the Rainbow Bands of the GRVL World Champion, will he be lining up in Nice 2025? There was some controversy around this year’s race, where a lot of USA’s big hitters were absent, with many sighting a lack of funding being a reason not to go. Keegan is pragmatic about the challenges of funding and scheduling. "GRVL isn't an Olympic sport, so the resources aren't always there. Timing plays a big role in my decisions, but I want to go again, but only when I know the course is good for me and that I can improve on the last time," he explains, alluding to his fifth-place finish in 2023.

Beyond the Races

Outside of racing, Keegan finds joy in simple pleasures. "I love just being at home, getting outdoors, going camping with Sofia," he shares, referring to his fiancée, Sofia Gomez Villafane, a formidable cyclist in her own right. The couple are planning their wedding in sunny California, adding a personal milestone to Keegan's eventful life. He is also a keen motorbike rider, either out on the dirt bike or hitting the highway, yet another example of his enthusiasm for going fast, he really does follow the words of Laurens Ten Dam “Ride fast live slow”.

As our conversation winds down, Keegan offers some sage advice for aspiring racers: "Just keep it simple, don't overcomplicate it, and get your nutrition right as that can be a game changer." So there you have it, just keep it simple, eat right, train hard, and listen to Keegan’s ‘Shake and Bake’ playlist then go get the best out of yourself.

As GRVL racing continues to get more and more intense, Keegan Swenson stands out not just for his victories, but for his unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining the sport. With each race, he continues to inspire, proving that with passion and perseverance, the trails ahead are limitless.

Follow Keegan on Instagram for more.