Hard work pays off: Nicole Frain wins Houffa Gravel on the ASTR RS
For the Ridley Racing Team, Houffa Gravel became a day to remember. Our Australian rider Nicole Frain proved to be the strongest last Saturday in the picturesque Houffalize after 141 hilly kilometers, celebrating her first victory in the UCI Gravel World Series.
It was a tough day on a rolling and demanding course. Alongside Dutch riders Esmée Peperkamp, Wendy Oosterwoud, Marjet Groen, and Belgian Floor Van Elsacker, Nicole animated the race from start to finish. Especially Esmée Peperkamp proved a fierce competitor: she attacked early and held a lead of 45 seconds to a minute over Nicole for a long time.
In the final lap, Nicole showed her class. On the steep Saint-Roch, she went all-in, closed the gap, and immediately launched a decisive acceleration. Riding solo along the banks of the Ourthe, she further extended her lead. In the end, she crossed the line with more than a ten-minute advantage — an impressive feat, especially since she rode nearly the entire race alone.
It was a tough day on a rolling and demanding course. Alongside Dutch riders Esmée Peperkamp, Wendy Oosterwoud, Marjet Groen, and Belgian Floor Van Elsacker, Nicole animated the race from start to finish. Especially Esmée Peperkamp proved a fierce competitor: she attacked early and held a lead of 45 seconds to a minute over Nicole for a long time.
In the final lap, Nicole showed her class. On the steep Saint-Roch, she went all-in, closed the gap, and immediately launched a decisive acceleration. Riding solo along the banks of the Ourthe, she further extended her lead. In the end, she crossed the line with more than a ten-minute advantage — an impressive feat, especially since she rode nearly the entire race alone.
Collective performance
The victory in Houffalize is the icing on the cake of a consistent season. Earlier this year, Nicole already finished 3rd in Santa Vall, 2nd in the Monaco Gravel Race, and took silver in every stage as well as the overall classification in Gravel, Grit ’n Grind and La Monsterrato. Houffa Gravel is therefore both a relief and a well-deserved crowning achievement.
The Ridley Racing Team also made its mark in the men’s race. Aaron Van der Beken rode strongly and finished 5th after an exciting battle behind eventual winner Mads Würtz Schmidt. Daan secured 12th place, giving the team a solid collective result.
With this victory and strong performances, the Ridley Racing Team once again proves what is possible on the ASTR RS, our performance gravel bike designed to conquer the toughest challenges. And with a tire clearance up to 52 millimeters, it is the ultimate bike for Houffa Gravel and other demanding gravel races.
Photos: Bolero Gravel Series / Thibaut Debelle Photography
The Ridley Racing Team also made its mark in the men’s race. Aaron Van der Beken rode strongly and finished 5th after an exciting battle behind eventual winner Mads Würtz Schmidt. Daan secured 12th place, giving the team a solid collective result.
With this victory and strong performances, the Ridley Racing Team once again proves what is possible on the ASTR RS, our performance gravel bike designed to conquer the toughest challenges. And with a tire clearance up to 52 millimeters, it is the ultimate bike for Houffa Gravel and other demanding gravel races.
Photos: Bolero Gravel Series / Thibaut Debelle Photography
ASTR RS
The new standard for performance gravelThe ASTR RS is a high-end racing gravel bike that combines aerodynamics and light weight to meet all the needs of the modern gravel circuit. With a tyre clearance of 52 millimetres (1x setup), you are armed for the roughest terrain on the ASTR RS. The accompanying geometry stands for stability and speed.
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