Daan Soete rides to seventh place at brutal edition of Unbound Gravel
Unbound Gravel once again proved why it is considered the biggest and toughest gravel race in the world. Under relentless rain, deep mud and over 320 kilometres of racing through the Flint Hills of Kansas, Daan Soete delivered an impressive seventh-place finish, while fellow Belgian Arno Van den Broeck crossed the line in twelfth.
The 2026 edition will be remembered as one of the most demanding in recent years. Heavy rainfall before and during the race transformed sections of the course into the infamous "peanut butter mud" that makes Unbound so unique. Bikes clogged up, drivetrains stopped working and many riders were forced to run for long stretches just to keep moving forward.
The 2026 edition will be remembered as one of the most demanding in recent years. Heavy rainfall before and during the race transformed sections of the course into the infamous "peanut butter mud" that makes Unbound so unique. Bikes clogged up, drivetrains stopped working and many riders were forced to run for long stretches just to keep moving forward.
The race exploded early. After the first muddy sector, a decisive selection formed at the front and Daan immediately found himself among the strongest riders in the field. From that moment on, he remained part of the race's leading groups and positioned himself perfectly for a long day of racing through the Flint Hills.
From there, Daan spent the entire day racing near the front. Through muddy roads, fast gravel sectors and constantly changing weather conditions, he once again confirmed his status as one of the biggest names in international gravel racing. After more than nine hours of racing, he crossed the finish line in an outstanding seventh place.
Arno Van den Broeck also delivered a strong performance. Together with Thomas De Gendt, he was part of the front selection after the first muddy sector. While De Gendt's own race came to an end later in the day, the former Grand Tour stage winner continued to support Arno wherever possible. In the second assistance area, he even put aside his own race to help Arno prepare for the final part of the day. Arno would go on to finish in an impressive twelfth place, giving Ridley two riders inside the top 12 of the world's most prestigious gravel race.
From there, Daan spent the entire day racing near the front. Through muddy roads, fast gravel sectors and constantly changing weather conditions, he once again confirmed his status as one of the biggest names in international gravel racing. After more than nine hours of racing, he crossed the finish line in an outstanding seventh place.
Arno Van den Broeck also delivered a strong performance. Together with Thomas De Gendt, he was part of the front selection after the first muddy sector. While De Gendt's own race came to an end later in the day, the former Grand Tour stage winner continued to support Arno wherever possible. In the second assistance area, he even put aside his own race to help Arno prepare for the final part of the day. Arno would go on to finish in an impressive twelfth place, giving Ridley two riders inside the top 12 of the world's most prestigious gravel race.
At the front, European Gravel Champion Mads Würtz Schmidt rode to a dominant victory after launching a decisive attack and building a significant advantage over the chasing riders. Behind him, the battle for the remaining top positions remained fierce all the way to the finish line.
For Daan Soete, the result confirms his status as one of Belgium's strongest gravel racers. Finishing seventh at Unbound Gravel is a result that commands respect in the international gravel scene, especially in an edition where the weather and course conditions pushed riders and equipment to their absolute limits. With Daan Soete finishing seventh and Arno Van den Broeck twelfth, Ridley was once again represented at the front of the world's biggest gravel race.
For Daan Soete, the result confirms his status as one of Belgium's strongest gravel racers. Finishing seventh at Unbound Gravel is a result that commands respect in the international gravel scene, especially in an edition where the weather and course conditions pushed riders and equipment to their absolute limits. With Daan Soete finishing seventh and Arno Van den Broeck twelfth, Ridley was once again represented at the front of the world's biggest gravel race.
Images © tinyblackbox/Wolftooth Components
