Success in cyclocross is no coincidence. This is “The Unbound Journey” with Joris Nieuwenhuis.

The preceding winter had a difficult start. A shingles infection sidelined Nieuwenhuis for months, forcing him to watch his competitors from the couch. After a training month in Spain, he returned at the Dutch Cyclocross Championships. With no expectations, he immediately took the bronze medal.

That boost gave him confidence. He went on to win in Middelkerke and Oostmalle as well. After a short rest period, he shifted his focus entirely to his summer campaign.

Unbound Gravel became the highlight of that campaign. His first participation in 2024, without proper preparation, fueled his ambition. In 2025 he wanted to return to Emporia, Kansas for a top result. Together with his coaches and experts, he worked on every performance factor. Koen de Haan optimized his training schedule, Rob van der Werf developed his nutrition plan, and Yannick Balk worked on his mental preparation. At the Aero Performance Lab in Beringen, he carried out extensive testing in both the wind tunnel and the climate chamber to be perfectly prepared at the start.

How that preparation — and the race itself — unfolded is shown in the documentary “The Unbound Journey – Chasing Gravel”. The film highlights Joris’ passion for music, his love for off-road racing, pushing boundaries, and the highs and lows of life as a pro athlete. As a devoted music lover with his own studio, he composed part of the soundtrack himself. It adds a personal touch and offers a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Nieuwenhuis.

Throughout the entire summer campaign, Nieuwenhuis and his Ridley Racing Team teammates rode the ASTR RS, the gravel bike we launched in October 2024. This performance-focused bike is designed for modern gravel racing and combines an aero-to-weight frame with 52 mm tire clearance. Aaron Van der Beken, Daan Soete, and Nicole Frain have already achieved impressive victories with it.