Gravel racing is a unique discipline, there are choices to be made over tyres - pressures, with and pattern, as well as gearing. This typically throws up some interesting bike setups.

RADL GRVL is the first international gravel race to be hosted on Australian soil and is running in partnership with the Tour Down Under. The field of 300 riders is primed to tackle the 108km course in Adelaide for the chance on winning a share of the $10k AUD prize purse. Pro roadie turned traveller Tiffany Cromwell and F1 driver Valterri Bottas have played a major part in bringing the race to Australia and although the 2024 event is a pilot, there are plans to bring the event back in 2025.

There’s a few bikes to take a look at for the opening race of the year.

Chloe Hosking’s custom singlespeed

Featuring an eye-catching 2012 Olympics inspired paint job, the alloy frame is decked out with a SRAM RED AXS groupset.

Wheel Science carbon gravel wheels are shod with a pair of Goodyear connector tyres.

Giant Revolt

This ride is more equipped for the arduous course, sporting a vibrant purple paint job.

The Revolt frame is equipped with a SRAM mullet drivetrain. Force shifters and chainset are paired to and XX1 AXS rear mech to provide the spread of gears.

The Cadet AR35 wheels are shoed with Pirelli Cinturato H tyres for the dry and dusty conditions.

Ribble CGR SL

I love the blue to purple fade on the Lifeplus - Wahoo team bikes and they’re sporting some interesting tech choices too.

The team look to be using Ultegra Di2 2x setups on the gravel which is certainly a departure from the norm of 1x drivetrains.

Hunt wheels are wrapped in Continental Terra Trail tyres. These wheels don’t look like the 42 Limitless wheel set, I wonder if their wider profile wouldn’t play ball with the 2x setup.

Thanks to 4 Seasons Collective for the images and more info can be found about the event at www.radlgrvl.com