Chloë Spritz and Alex Brasch Take Victory at the 2026 Cascade Gravel Grinder
The 2026 Cascade Gravel Grinder delivered one of its most memorable editions yet — thanks to a soaking Thursday night storm that transformed Central Oregon’s famously sandy roads into fast, tacky, hero-dirt perfection. Riders described Sunday’s conditions as “amazing,” with cool temperatures, grippy surfaces, and just enough moisture left in the ground to make the long miles feel fast.
Big Gravel — Brasch and Spritz Dominate Men’s Race
Alex Brasch (Superare Racing) put on a masterclass in pacing and resilience, riding clear to win the Big Gravel men’s title in 4:46:26. Behind him, Kenny Rapmund (High Desert Hustle) kept the pressure on, finishing just +2:20 back.
Sebastian Ramirez rounded out the podium at +11:48.
Big Gravel Top 10 Men
1, Alex Brasch, Superare Racing, 4:46:26, -
2, Kenny Rapmund, High Desert Hustle, 4:48:47, +2:20
3, Sebastian Ramirez, -, 4:58:15, +11:48
4, Jim Barkow, 38 Degrees North, 5:00:06, +13:39
5, Michael Claudio, ThirstyBear Cycling, 5:01:50, +15:23
6, Ryan Palo, Thiq Crit Daddiez, 5:01:50, +15:24
7, Geoff Rice, Team Lazy Tarantulas, 5:03:06, +16:39
8, Jordan Barber, -, 5:10:09, +23:43
9, Tony Radakovich, -, 5:11:02, +24:35
10, Seth Swallen, -, 5:11:17, +24:51
Women’s Race
Chloë Spritz (Nine Lives Cycling Collective) delivered a commanding ride, taking the women’s Big Gravel win in 5:09:08 — a performance strong enough to place her inside the men’s Top 20 on elapsed time.
Joelle Debban (Distance to Empty) and Elly West (Hagens Berman Racing) completed the podium.
Big Gravel Top 10 Women
1, Chloë Spritz, Nine Lives Cycling Collective, 5:09:08, -
2, Joelle Debban, Distance to Empty, 5:27:57, +18:49
3, Elly West, Hagens Berman Racing, 6:07:36, +58:27
4, Sarah Max, Bend Racing, 6:14:55, +1:05:47
5, Megan Hill, Team Eastside Cycles, 6:22:41, +1:13:33
6, Emily McClain, -, 6:33:12, +1:24:04
7, Kelsey Withrow, -, 6:41:09, +1:32:01
8, Amanda Nauman, Easton Overland, 6:48:44, +1:39:36
9, Hannah Bergemann, Transition Bikes, 6:55:58, +1:46:50
10, Katie Jackson, -, 7:02:11, +1:53:03
Medium Gravel — Rogers and Brauer Set the Pace
Men’s Race
Owen Rogers (Kaiser Permanente) took a convincing win in 3:06:14, holding off a strong chase group led by Samuel Greydanus and Jason Mueller.
Veteran powerhouse Tim Berntson (Corvus Cycles) stormed through the field to finish 4th.
Medium Gravel Top 10 Men
1, Owen Rogers, Kaiser Permanente, 3:06:14, -
2, Samuel Greydanus, Team Oregon p/b Rodda Paint, 3:11:06, +4:51
3, Jason Mueller, -, 3:11:13, +4:58
4, Tim Berntson, Corvus Cycles, 3:15:33, +9:19
5, Bear Naumann, -, 3:18:12, +11:57
6, Christian Folk, HODALA!, 3:18:48, +12:33
7, Marcel deLisser, See See, 3:18:49, +12:34
8, Mike Henry, -, 3:21:39, +15:24
9, Joe Cooper, Twin Peaks Cycling Team, 3:21:39, +15:24
10, Tom Counts, Dialed Cycling Team, 3:21:43, +15:28
Women’s Race
Ali Brauer dominated the women’s Medium Gravel race, winning in 3:31:14.
Behind her, Samantha Shields (Pacos Bike and Ski) and Camilla Schmitz (Boneyard Cycling) completed the podium.
Medium Gravel Top 10 Women
1, Ali Brauer, -, 3:31:14, -
2, Samantha Shields, Pacos Bike and Ski, 3:40:43, +9:28
3, Camilla Schmitz, Boneyard Cycling, 3:51:26, +20:11
4, Sarah Max, Bend Racing, 3:55:02, +23:48
5, Emily McClain, -, 3:58:40, +27:26
6, Megan Hill, Team Eastside Cycles, 4:02:55, +31:41
7, Kelsey Withrow, -, 4:05:12, +33:58
8, Amanda Nauman, Easton Overland, 4:07:44, +36:30
9, Hannah Bergemann, Transition Bikes, 4:10:59, +39:45
10, Katie Jackson, -, 4:13:21, +42:07
Small Gravel — Dudlik and Voegele Take the Wins
Men’s Race
Edward Dudlik (Dialed Cycling Team) powered to victory in 2:04:08, with teammate Lance Heppler completing a Dialed 1–2.
A tight chase group filled out the top five.
Small Gravel Top 10 Men
1, Edward Dudlik, Dialed Cycling Team, 2:04:08, -
2, Lance Heppler, Dialed Cycling Team, 2:10:38, +6:30
3, Peter Morey, -, 2:11:47, +7:39
4, Craig Bartholomaus, -, 2:13:30, +9:22
5, Lincoln Sanchez, -, 2:13:32, +9:24
6, Brecken Riemer, Dirt Camp Racing, 2:13:42, +9:34
7, Kurt Krichko, Dialed Cycling, 2:14:01, +9:53
8, Oliver Woods, Team Booger, 2:24:48, +20:39
9, Duff Linde, -, 2:24:49, +20:41
10, Wesley Jones, -, 2:25:47, +21:39
Women’s Race
Rhonda Voegele (Cafferty’s Cyclery) took the win in 2:37:35, with Jamie Rogers (Breakfast Racing Team) and Lacie Hernandez (Fireweed) rounding out the podium.
Small Gravel Top 10 Women
1, Rhonda Voegele, Cafferty's Cyclery, 2:37:35, -
2, Jamie Rogers, Breakfast Racing Team, 2:43:43, +6:08
3, Lacie Hernandez, Fireweed, 2:45:56, +8:21
4, Carolyn Daubeny, -, 2:52:51, +15:16
5, Steph Brandt, Eugene Velo, 2:53:32, +15:56
6, Jenna Godfrey, -, 2:55:05, +17:30
7, Aimee Viles, TN Multisports, 2:56:04, +18:29
8, Tammy Salyer, -, 3:06:38, +29:02
9, Alisha Richardson, -, 3:10:23, +32:48
10, Alyssa Craigie, -, 3:10:24, +32:48
POST-RIDE CELEBRATION — Village Green Park
After conquering the day’s challenges, riders gathered at Village Green Park for the New Belgium Post-Ride Celebration. Participants unwound with a catered lunch from Spin Catering, enjoyed live music, indulged in a beer garden, and took part in a variety of entertainment options to celebrate their accomplishments alongside fellow cyclists.
A Standout Year for Cascade Gravel!
With ideal race-day conditions, deep fields, and a full gallery of emotional, high-impact images, the 2026 Cascade Gravel Grinder delivered a defining edition for riders and spectators alike.
Link to 2026 Cascade Gravel Results: https://my.raceresult.com/400740