Ridley Expands Its Gravel Legacy with Swedish Champion on the ASTR RS
Ridley is steadily conquering the gravel world, one rider at a time. As part of our global push, the Swedish gravel champion, Michael Tjulander, is now racing on our ASTR RS. With an ambitious race calendar and strong presence across Scandinavia, Michael proudly represents Ridley in the North. “Gravel is really starting to take off here too,” he explains.
From Violette Neza racing in Rwanda to Nicole Frain pushing limits in Tasmania, Ridley Racing Team riders are showcasing our bikes on every continent. Our network of passionate dealers plays a key role in supporting these athletes across the globe. Thanks to this collaboration, Sweden’s national gravel champion is now riding the ASTR RS. “I got into gravel through friends. Some of them were already doing it and once I tried it, I was immediately hooked,” Michael says.
Sweden is also part of the UCI Gravel World Series, hosting the Gravel Grit ‘n Grind race in Halmstad. “The sport isn't as big here as in the U.S. or Southern Europe, but it's growing every day. For many Swedes, gravel is still mainly a recreational way to stay fit. But we have incredible terrain, especially up north—so much remains to be discovered.”
From Violette Neza racing in Rwanda to Nicole Frain pushing limits in Tasmania, Ridley Racing Team riders are showcasing our bikes on every continent. Our network of passionate dealers plays a key role in supporting these athletes across the globe. Thanks to this collaboration, Sweden’s national gravel champion is now riding the ASTR RS. “I got into gravel through friends. Some of them were already doing it and once I tried it, I was immediately hooked,” Michael says.
Sweden is also part of the UCI Gravel World Series, hosting the Gravel Grit ‘n Grind race in Halmstad. “The sport isn't as big here as in the U.S. or Southern Europe, but it's growing every day. For many Swedes, gravel is still mainly a recreational way to stay fit. But we have incredible terrain, especially up north—so much remains to be discovered.”
444 Cycling Club
Together with his friend Filip Thunberg, Michael co-founded the gravel-focused 444 Cycling Club. “We partnered with WestCoast Bikes in Brålandsvägen, which allows us to purchase bikes at a reduced rate. All of us ride the ASTR RS now.”
Michael’s setup reflects his racing style and technical preferences: “I typically ride with 165mm cranks, a 48-tooth chainring up front, and a 10-51 cassette in the rear. For tires, I use Schwalbe Thunder Burt 29x2.1. My handlebar is 380mm wide, with a 100mm stem.”
Michael’s setup reflects his racing style and technical preferences: “I typically ride with 165mm cranks, a 48-tooth chainring up front, and a 10-51 cassette in the rear. For tires, I use Schwalbe Thunder Burt 29x2.1. My handlebar is 380mm wide, with a 100mm stem.”
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.
Read moreChasing the World Stage
After claiming the Swedish national title, Michael received plenty of positive attention—but his ambitions stretch far beyond. He previously placed 32nd and 51st at the Gravel World Championships. “This year, I’m aiming for a top-20 finish. If everything clicks on the day, I think it's realistic. Next year, I want to break into the top 10. For that, I need to collect more UCI points to secure a good starting position. That makes a huge difference.”
With strong early-season results, Michael is well on his way. “I had a solid winter base, and it's paying off. I already placed 13th at the UCI Gravel World Series in Castellón. 2025 is looking promising.”
Photos: Michael Svartedalen
With strong early-season results, Michael is well on his way. “I had a solid winter base, and it's paying off. I already placed 13th at the UCI Gravel World Series in Castellón. 2025 is looking promising.”
Photos: Michael Svartedalen
