2021 Gravel Worlds
A Year of Expansion, Firsts & New Frontiers
2021 Gravel Worlds Results and Photos
Independent Articles and Videos
In 2021, Gravel Worlds broke new ground. After the upheaval of 2020, organizers returned with renewed energy and ambition. The field grew, the challenges deepened, and the race added a bold new dimension: The Long Voyage 300. That year, the event also witnessed one of its most headline-making women’s performances—Lauren Stephens winning overall on the 75-mile (Privateer) course, becoming the first woman ever to claim an overall title across all categories in Gravel Worlds history. Meanwhile, on the 150-mile route, John Borstelmann repeated his victory, while Lauren De Crescenzo won the women’s 150. Gravel Worlds 2021 was not just a race—it was a statement of evolution.
Expanding the Seas: Introducing the Long Voyage 300
One of the boldest moves in 2021 was the launch of the Long Voyage 300 (also styled “GW300” or “Long Voyage 300”). Announced well in advance, the Long Voyage was designed to be a self-supported ultra gravel challenge: 303.1 miles, with roughly 16,000 ft of climbing, and nearly all on gravel/dirt roads (97%+).
Unlike the 150 or 75 races, the Long Voyage started later—at 5 pm Friday—and stretched overnight into Saturday, with riders finishing well after dark. Part of the appeal was its purity: no team cars, no outside support, no handouts—only what riders carried or could source along public routes.
The field was capped — about 100 riders selected (18 women, 82 men) out of a large applicant pool. Of those, 107 started (some overlap or flexibility in numbers) and 45 completed. The top finisher was Zeno Molteni (20:48:15), while Paige Redman was the leading woman in that inaugural voyage (22:57:18).
The Long Voyage became a legend in its first year—stretching the definition of Gravel Worlds itself, and giving ultra-endurance riders a new horizon to chase.
The 150 & 75: Champions, Records & Unlikely Wins
On the classic 150-mile “Gravel Seas” loop, the 2021 title defenses and new wins leaned into legacy and rising names. The 150 course in 2021 measured about 151.1 miles, with nearly 12,000 ft of climbing, and over 96% on gravel/dirt surfaces.
Men’s 150: John Borstelmann claimed the title again (7:04:37), making it a repeat for him (he had won in 2019).
Women’s 150: Lauren De Crescenzo took top honors (7:36:42), setting a women’s record on that course.
But the headline-grabber was elsewhere: the Privateer 75 course — a shorter option — became the site of history. Lauren Stephens entered and won the 75 outright, defeating all male competitors as well. That made her the first woman ever in Gravel Worlds history to take an overall title across any category.
Stephens’s final victory came by breaking in the last mile of dirt, holding off a chasing field. Her performance in Lincoln presaged her future dominance on the full 150, as she would go on to win that title in subsequent years.
That 75 result was widely heralded — fans, organizers, and competitors alike recognized it as a watershed moment for women in gravel.
The Everyday Rider: Grit, Stories & Shared Miles
While the spotlight often shines on winners, Gravel Worlds has always lived in the mid-pack, the privateers, the finishers, and those who ride for personal victory, not hardware. In 2021, the everyday rider experience was rich with stories of challenge, adaptation, and belonging.
One DirtTan Bike Club article titled “Long Voyage 300: At Least We're Highly Functional” offered a glimpse into the mindset of riders who attempted the ultra. The author described the mental leap of starting a race at 5 pm, riding through darkness, and then battling humidity, fatigue, and uncertainty deep into the night. Dirt Tan Bike Club For many, the Long Voyage was not just a physical test but a venture into unknown territory; some finishers would later reflect on how the experience shifted their sense of limits and endurance.
Among the privateer and 150 riders, many saw equipment failures, fatigue, nutritional missteps, and emotional lows. The 2021 start saw riders bunched at Branched Oak Farms for the single-checkpoint setup—a change from prior years. Lauf Gravel Worlds+1 Small towns along the route became oases of hope: gas stations, community pumps, water stops, strangers offering shade or encouragement. Riders swapped tales, joked about cramps, and cheered one another even when paths never crossed.
At the finish, dusty and often hours after the leaders, many riders spoke of relief, pride, and humility. The 2021 field was bigger than ever (over 1,700 registrants). Lauf Gravel Worlds And regardless of time or position, each finisher reaffirmed one thing: Gravel Worlds is as much about the journey and the shared challenge as it is about trophies.
A New Wave of Inclusion: Adventure for All
2021 also marked the start of a new and deeply meaningful partnership with Adventure for All, a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive outdoor experiences for individuals with exceptionalities. Through this partnership, Josh, an athlete with exceptionalities, became the first Adventure for All athlete to complete Gravel Worlds, riding the 50k and proving that the spirit of gravel is truly for everyone.
Josh’s finish was more than a milestone—it was a moment that reshaped what inclusion looks like in endurance sports. His determination and joy inspired riders across all distances, reminding the entire gravel community that perseverance and courage, not pace or podiums, define a champion.
This collaboration planted the seeds for a growing legacy of accessibility and inclusion at Gravel Worlds, ensuring that every rider—regardless of background or ability—can share in the adventure.
Why 2021 Mattered & What It Left Behind
Gravel Worlds 2021 wasn’t just another edition—it was a year of growth, redefining boundaries, and memorable firsts. The addition of the Long Voyage 300 expanded the concept of what a Gravel Worlds event could be, opening a door to ultra-gravel in the Nebraska terrain. Lauren Stephens’s historic overall win on the 75 resonated across the community, and John Borstelmann’s return to the top of the 150 reinforced his standing as a local legend.
Beyond the champions, 2021 deepened the cultural fabric of the race. The stories of riders who struggled, pushed through darkness, adapted to adversity, and still showed up are as essential as any result. That year underscored the belief that Gravel Worlds thrives not just on speed and power—but on heart, community, perseverance, and the shared love for riding gravel.
2021 Honorary Champion: Brett Miller
Nicole (Brett’s Sister) and Chad Cottom.
2021 Honorary Champion
Brett Miller
Lansing, MI
Brett Miller tragically passed away on August 1st, 2021 after a road bike racing injury. Brett was an active member of his cycling community in Lansing, Michigan. He was a larger-than-life presence and he was instrumental in building the Lansing and SPIN Bicycle Shop cycling community to what it is today. Brett had signed up for the Long Voyage and was fiercely training to complete the 300-mile journey. Brett’s sister, Nicole, and her husband Chad (also Brett’s best friend) rode the Long Voyage while carrying Brett’s GPS tracking device in his honor. They carried Brett across the gravel roads of Nebraska while honoring his memory along the way.
Brett Miller will be forever named the Honorary Champion of Gravel Worlds 2021.
