Over the weekend, Jenna Rinehart and Brennan Wertz emerged victorious at the Highlands Gravel Classic, the only US round of the 2024 UCI Gravel World Series. Despite facing setbacks early in the race, Rinehart ultimately finished first in the women’s category with a time of 3:51:55, while Wertz crossed the finish line in 3:25:20, just 12 seconds ahead of Cobe Freeburn.
In an Instagram post, Wertz expressed his excitement at winning the race and qualifying for the UCI Gravel World Championships in Belgium in October. Although he had already won the Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race over nine days earlier, Wertz remained determined to continue working towards his goals for the year. Similarly, Rinehart faced a setback early on when her chain came off and caused her to fall behind Maude Farrell and Flavia Oliveira Parks. However, she managed to catch up and eventually finished first in her category.
The Highlands Gravel Classic covered a 67.6 mile course with 7,000 ft of climbing, consisting of 95% gravel roads. The challenging course led to intense competition among both men and women. Overall, it was a successful event for both Wertz and Rinehart, showcasing their skills and determination in the sport of gravel cycling.