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United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Shafi and Wertz Claim Season-Opening Wins at 2026 Grasshopper Huffmaster
 
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Shafi and Wertz take victory at 2026 Grasshopper Huffmaster

Former US gravel champion Brennan Wertz (Scott-Skipstone) and Alia Shafi (MAAP-Bike Tires Direct-Arundel) captured dramatic season-opening victories at the Huffmaster mixed-terrain race on Saturday, the second round of the 2026 Grasshopper Adventure Series.

Both elite races came down to three-rider sprints after aggressive riding and strategic descents shaped the 90-mile events.

In the elite men’s race, Wertz secured his fourth victory in six editions, finishing in a course-record time of 3:50:02. He crossed the line in a photo-finish sprint alongside Skyler Taylor (Pinarello-Q36.5), with Marcis Shelton (Competitive Edge Racing) just one second back. The trio broke clear late in the race, navigating Leesville Gap and using the long, technical 20-mile descent on Huffmaster Road to establish and protect their advantage. The finishing margin underscored the tactical depth and resilience of the breakaway riders on a course known for its relentless climbs and fast, exposed descents.

“Today was about timing and patience,” Wertz said. “We rode smart over the climbs and trusted each other on the descent. When it came down to the sprint, I gave everything I had to the line. The course record is a great bonus, but this result is a real testament to the way the field pushed the race from start to finish.”

Alia Shafi delivered a commanding performance in the elite women’s field, prevailing from a four-rider sprint with Flavia Oliveira Parks (Excel Sports) going second and Jen Tavé (SpeedBlock-Terun) third and Larissa Connors after a day of selective racing. Shafi’s strength and positioning through the key climbs and fast sections of the course allowed her to contest the final sprint from a small leading group, securing an important early-season win for MAAP-Bike Tires Direct-Arundel. Her victory highlights continued depth and competition in women’s mixed-terrain racing as riders sharpen form ahead of the spring calendar.

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2026 Grasshopper Huffmaster Men's Top 10

1 Brennan Wertz  3:50:02
2 Skyler Taylor 0:00
3 Marcis Shelton +0:01
4 Lucas Miers +1:22
5 Ryder Ritchie +2:22
6 Griffin Easter +4:00
7 Tobin Ortenblad +5:52
8 Jacob Velasco +5:52
9 Mattheus Johnson +5:52
10 Jack Duncan +7:25

2026 Grasshopper Huffmaster Women's Top 5

1 Alia Shafi 4:34:20
2 Flavia Oliveira Parks +0:02
3 Jen Tave +0:04
4 Larissa Connors +0:16
5 Steph Hart +17:56

 
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