Mattia De Marchi is a legend of The Traka. He’s received the distinguished gravel race, the 360km distance, 3 times in a row, and in 2023 the victory aided him within the general title on the inaugural Gravel Earth Series. But Unbound Gravel has been an evasive goal, till he landed the ultimate spot on a five-rider podium this 12 months within the 200-mile US endurance check.
The Italian has a giant engine which he makes use of to mow down hilly terrain, lengthy distances and rocky roads, so Unbound Gravel fits the previous street rider’s abilities. However, his first two appearances ended with thirteenth and forty first finishes.
In his new method to Unbound, De Marchi used a phrase typically repeated by any veteran from the Flint Hills – “luck” – and he additionally talked about decreasing stress and recognising margins. The luck is having no main mechanicals. “Maybe it’s the finest day of your life, however should you don’t have luck, perhaps not,” he stated. The margins embody an edge with psychological power and confidence in racing tools.
“After a number of hours of racing I stated to myself ‘sufficient working with the concern of one thing going flawed! Push and have enjoyable!’ Proud of my fifth place,” De Marchi posted to Instagram a day after his fifth place at Unbound Gravel 200.
He raced Unbound on unreleased variable depth Fulcrum wheels, Sharq, on his Basso body. He tipped his cap to these wheels giving him added confidence on a dry day throughout the prairie that ended with the quickest occasions ever set on the 200-mile course, Lachlan Morton (EF Education-EasyPost) successful a two-up dash in opposition to Chad Haga (PAS Racing) in 9:11:47.
De Marchi would comply with in a gaggle of three to set the Life Time Unbound podium, outpacing a powerful area that included reigning gravel World Champion Matej Mohoric, reigning Unbound champion Keegan Swenson, Paris-Roubaix and Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet and Joris Nieuwenhuis, silver medalist on the 2024 Cyclocross World Championships.
“Saturday is simply 10 hours within the race, however the different hours within the week are extra necessary. It’s only a race, and I don’t need to put a variety of stress in my physique. I like it, I really like this example. It is only a race,” De Marchi advised Cyclingnews.
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De Marchi spent the week in Emporia, Kansas with Enough Cycling workers and two teammates, US native and runner-up on the 2024 Santa Val gravel stage race Morgan Aguirre and former street professional Frank Bettini. His first cease on the town was at WalMart to buy provides for his crew, and after the competitors it was all about “perhaps pizza, barbecue, drink some beer”.
“The first rule when coming in [to race] is go to the market and purchase a variety of pasta. The days earlier than the race is like pasta for each dinner or lunch. And you want perhaps some junk meals in your thoughts,” he stated each lightheartedly and significantly.
In his recons of the north course, having arrived simply 4 days earlier than the race, De Marchi stated he was glad to not see a lot mud, however he knew to anticipate the sudden in gravel.
“The first 12 months, I bear in mind it began with no rain and the final 4 hours, I misplaced the highest 10 as a result of I don’t use my glasses due to mud, and my eyes, I noticed nothing. Last 12 months, the final three hours was completely completely different, the storm and a variety of rain the day earlier than [made it muddy].
“Normally in Italy, it’s fairly rocky. The gravel there, for me, is very easy and fairly regular. I really like the climb and Unbound just isn’t flat, proper? It is a problem for me, and a possibility.”
This 12 months he solely targetted Unbound for a one-week journey to the US and didn’t journey early to compete at Gravel Locos, the place he had a high 10 in 2023. He this 12 months was much less hectic and he was in a greater situation, mentally in addition to bodily. Headed again to Europe, his summer time programme will embody the Italian Gravel Championships on June 30 within the Pavia hills at Golferenzo.
“The plan is Safari Gravel the UCI race in Kenya earlier than Migration Gravel. And after that, I’ve Italian Championships. And after that, Memory Gravel and perhaps The Rift. After that, I don’t know. I actually focus this 12 months for World Championships as a result of it’s actually quick.”
His crew sponsor hosts the Memory Bike Adventure, July 9-14, an unsupported, 700km bikepacking journey in northern Italy that hyperlinks landmarks from the First World War. He stated he added that to his calendar as properly.
At age 33, De Marchi has discovered his candy spot on gravel.
“The dream of simply using the Giro d’Italia won’t ever disappear utterly. But for now, that dream is parked behind my thoughts,” De Marchi had advised Enough Cycling founder Federico Damiani. “From time to time I’ll give it some thought, however I modified my perspective.”