UNVEILED: CANYON’S GRAVEL RIDERS FOR 2025

Proven winners and up-for-adventure riders joined by ambitious gravel racers Klara Sofie Skovgaard, Freddy Ovett and Unbound Gravel champion Rosa Klöser 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: With a roster full of talented gravel racers and engaging adventure riders, including new signings for 2025, this is set to be another year where Canyon is at the forefront of Gravel riding, continuing the impressive legacy built since it entered the gravel scene with the radical ‘double decker’ Grail way back in 2018.  

Fast-forwarding from 2018, but not quite to the present day just yet, let’s take a look at some of the standout moments from 2024 – surely the benchmark for 2025’s ambitions:  

• Peter Stetina, pioneer of the gravel scene, was arms aloft at the 2024 edition of Unbound XL and Traka 360, winning two of the most high-profile races on the global gravel calendar. He also showed with the Belgian Waffle Ride Triple Crown and Grasshopper Adventure Series that he can consistently ride at the top, regardless of the terrain. Check out Pete’s 2024 season review here. 

• Carolin Schiff, known for her impressive endurance, Caro triumphed at the Traka 200 and UCI Gravel World Series races in Millau (FR), Singen (DE) and Jakuszyce (POL), as well as winning the UCI series outright. In 2024 Carolin proved that she can not only keep up on the climbs but dominate on the descents too. Check out Caro’s top 5 of 2024 here. 

• Petr Vakoč, who made his debut on the gravel scene in 2023, triumphed at Santa Vall gravel stage race and Traka 200, and was another outright winner of the UCI Gravel World Series thanks to a win at La Monsterrato (ITA) and podium places in Girona (ESP), Alpine Challenge (CH), Gravel Suisse (CH), Hegau (DE), and The Gralloch (UK). With 37 race days, the former road pro showed how seamlessly he has adapted to the unpredictable demands of gravel racing. Click here for Petr’s 2024 results. 

Of course, with such strong results from 2024, it’s no surprise to see Pete, Caro and Petr leading the line.

Peter Stetina: a real fixture in the gravel world. With his smart racing strategy and limitless endurance capacity, he will once again be a favourite wherever he is on the start line in 2025. Defending his title at the Unbound XL is his top priority, but expect him to prove his strength at races like The Traka 360, SBT GRVL and a mysterious Record Attempt currently pencilled into his racing calendar for August…  

Carolin Schiff: Caro is a name that’s synonymous with resilience and determination, as her UCI Gravel World Series victory showed. In 2025 she will pursue her goals at multiple Gravel World Series and UCI races, proving again why she is one of the best riders on the scene. 

Petr Vakoč: After a full season of gravel racing, Petr Vakoč has established himself as one of the most versatile riders. With his racing intelligence and explosive power, the former professional road cyclist is aiming for further success in Gravel World Series, Gravel Earth Series and UCI races but has also targeted events such as Santa Vall, Belgian Waffle Ride Sand Diego, Migration Race in Kenya, The Rift in Iceland and FNLD GRVL.  

This year the gravel line-up contains some new faces too… 

Rosa Klöser: Rosa rose to prominence in 2023 with a handful of UCI Gravel podium places but it was in 2024 that she really burst onto the scene, winning Unbound Gravel in a 9-rider bunch sprint. Rosa signed for CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto in 2025 and will mix up her season with road and gravel races. After starting cycling 2.5 years ago, combining riding with her PhD, Rosa is convinced that the road racing calendar and the team structure with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto team-mates and support staff will allow her to unlock her potential in her relatively new cycling career. No doubt she’ll benefit from the experience of team mate Tiffany Cromwell, who’s no stranger to gravel herself.  

Klara Sofie Skovgaard: The young Danish athlete joins the Canyon family in the new season and keeps things fresh with XC and road racing to supplement her gravel calendar. After podiums at La Indomable, The Traka 200, Blaavands Huk, FNLD GRVL, Gravel Weekend, Gravel Grit ‘n Grind and Ranxo Gravel in 2024, expect Klara to be active across the ’25 season. 

Freddy Ovett: Another new addition to the Canyon team, Freddy Ovett is a 31-year-old former road pro. British born but racing under the Australian flag, Ovett will be one to watch in 2025. Racing is in his genes – the Ovett family excel at sport – and his training partner is none other than Mathieu van der Poel. The Traka and several Gravel World Series events are already on Freddy’s calendar for 2025.  

While the additions of Rosa, Klara and Freddy join the established perennial podium threats of Pete, Petr and Caro, they’re not the only athletes you can expect to find representing Canyon in Gravel in 2025. Expect to see returning athletes Jade Treffeisen, Heather Jackson and Jasper Ockeloen racking up a busy race calendar. Plus athletes like Valtteri Bottas, Tiffany Cromwell will race selectively, and Emily Chappell, Jenny Tough, Vendangi Kulkarni, Liam Yates, Vegan Cyclist and Andrew Jackson will mix up racing with multi-day adventures to explore the extreme fringes of the world of gravel. 

With a roster that combines experience, talent, adventure and inspiration, fans can expect to see Canyon bikes challenging for gravel podiums around the world again in 2025. 

"Gravel stands for freedom, adventure and the opportunity to experience cycling from a new perspective. Our riders embody exactly these values. It is a pleasure to accompany them on their journey and to shape the future of the gravel racing together with them," explains Andreas Walzer, Global Director Pro Sports at Canyon. 

Canyon supports its gravel athletes with the Grail CFR, a bike developed for speed and adaptability for any gravel terrain. Developed to withstand the toughest gravel race courses, it combines speed, aerodynamics, precision control, reliability and comfort in an impressive balance. 

The bike isn’t short on innovation either with a ‘Double Drop’ handlebar design offering a mix of comfortable and aggressive grip positions, with the addition of a Gear Groove for elegantly mounted accessories. The frame itself features light but robust carbon build with down tube integrated storage and Fidlock magnetic clip system for aerodynamically optimised frame bags, ensuring optimal watt savings and propulsion - be it on technically demanding sections or on fast gravel passages. 

"The Grail CFR enables our athletes to push their limits in every race," explains Andreas Walzer, Global Director Pro Sports at Canyon. "The CFR stands for Canyon Factory Racing which means that athletes can have the confidence of our highest performing bike, with material they can fully rely on in every race situation." 

The 2025 season promises thrilling highlights: epic gravel races on unique routes, emotional finals and countless moments that will be remembered. To join in with the action, follow the athletes or follow Canyon’s social media channels for a celebration of gravel throughout the year ahead.