Homegrown Gravel Adventure, Franklin GA - February 22nd 2025
United States | Southeast | Virginia >> Pete Stetina makes it a hattrick at Belgian Waffle Ride Utah

Pete Stetina makes it a hattrick at Belgian Waffle Ride Utah

Round 2 of the Belgian Waffle Ride Tripel Crown concluded in Cedar City Utah with snow capped mountains and a day of full on racing, in brutal conditions, shortened routes for that true Flandrien feeling!

Peter Stetina makes it a hattrick at Belgian Waffle Ride Utah

Due to freezing and windy conditions, aka "Springtime in Utah", the start was brought forward to 9am after sun up and the waffle course was shortened to 104 miles and the wafter to 67 miles with all participants contacted in advance, allowing everyone to download / upload the new GPS routes ahead the of race.

As ever, the BWR Utah route is a beautifully perverted course, with the weather adding a sprinkling of snow and extra suffering. Blankets and heaters were added to the aid stations so no one actually froze to death.

The course included some tough climbing; Parowan Gap after 23 miles, Three Peaks after 46 miles and Kanarraberg aftre 84 miles.

Two-times previus winner Peter Stetina (Canyon Waffeleurs & Ale Drinkeurs) remained in the front group for the whole race and attacked and rode the final hour into a fierce block headwind battling cramps, “holy hell I died a thousand deaths in those final 20 miles holding off a group of four chasers!” he stated afterwards.

Stetina, won in a time of 4h 53m 48s ahead of chasers Adam Roberge (Felt UN1TD) in second and Andrew L’Esperance (Maxxis Factory Racing) in third place who finished just under a minute behind with Julien Gagne and Torbjorn Andre Roed in tow.

Stetina, won in a time of 4h 53m 48s

Former professional Tom Danielson (Cinch Cycling), who has been recovering from illness that required surgery, finished in 20th place, in just over 5 hours. 

In the women race, previous winner, Sophia Gomez Villafañe (Specialized Off Road) forced a selection early on, attacked and solo'd to the finish in a winning time of 5h 19m 3s. Behind Courtney Sherwell (Prova Cycles/QOM/Ekoi/Schwalbe/SRAM) was second and Emily Newsom in third some 13 minutes behind. Behind a select group contained, Hannah Otto, Caroline Wreszin, Cecily Decker and Whitney Allison.

Sophia approved of the later start on the shortened distance, her Cape Epic training block paying dividends.

Sophia Gomez Villafañe (Specialized Off Road) forced a selection early on

2024 Belgian Waffle Ride Utah Women's Top 5

1. Sofia Gomez Villafane
2. Courtney Sherwell
3. Emily Newsom
4. Hannah Otto
5. Caroline Wreszin

2024 Belgian Waffle Ride Utah Men's Top 5

1. Pete Stetina
2. Adam Roberge
3. Andrew L’esperance
4. Julien Gagne
5. Torbjorn Andre Roed

Link to 2024 Belgian Waffle Ride Utah results: https://omnigoevents.com/events/bwr-ut-2024/results

BWR California, round 3 of the BWR Tripel Crown, the event that kickstarted the whole unroad series, takes place on April 28th in the San Elijo Hills near San Marcos.