Bioracer x Ridley Racing Team: From Flanders to Kansas

28 may 2025

When the cold winter months fade and the gravel season beckons, there's nothing quite like watching a partnership built on Belgian cycling DNA come to life. The collaboration between Bioracer and Ridley Racing Team has been nothing short of spectacular, and as we gear up for the biggest gravel challenges of the season, we wanted to share the incredible journey these athletes have taken—from the cobbled hills of Flanders to the dusty trails of Kansas.

📸 Images: Ridley Racing Team

Winter Warriors to Gravel Legends

The story began this winter during the cyclocross season, where the partnership between Bioracer and Ridley Racing Team first took shape. Felipe Orts delivered fantastic performances and victories that set the tone for what was to come. Then, mid-winter, Daan Soete showcased his off-road talent by claiming victory at the Belgian Championship Beach Race—a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of Belgian cycling excellence.

CX Oostmalle + CX Middelkerke

Joris Nieuwenhuis

After months battling injury, Joris Nieuwenhuis strikes back with impressive victories at the end of the season conquering both the Sluitingsprijs Oostmalle and Superprestige Middelkerke.

Belgian Championship Beach Race

Daan Soete

Daan Soete unleashed a devastating finale acceleration in Bredene, powering to Belgian Championships Beach Race 2024 tricolore.

Cyclo-Cross Rucphen

Felipe Orts

Fresh off European Championships silver, Spanish champion Felipe Orts dominated Rucphen with a perfectly executed long-range solo attack.

But as every ambitious cyclist knows, winter miles lead to summer smiles. With the cold months behind us, the gravel season has arrived, and the Ridley Racing Team is ready to tackle their biggest ambitions yet.

Time To Conquer

Europe's Gravel Crown Jewel

Traka, Europe's biggest gravel event, became the proving ground for our partnership. The results? Absolutely phenomenal. Nicole Frain powered her way to an impressive 7th place in the women's category, while Daan Soete delivered a fantastic 6th place finish in the men's race. These performances weren't just about individual talent—they were a testament to the perfect marriage of cutting-edge equipment and relentless preparation.

Just a week later in Valkenburg, the gravel series continued with the Marly Grav Race. Joris Nieuwenhuis crossed the line in 2nd place, finishing behind the phenomenal Belgian rider Tim Wellens. Each race has been building toward something bigger, something that every gravel rider dreams of conquering.

Nicole Frain

7the place - The Traka

Joris Nieuwenhuis

2nd place - Marly Grav Race

Daan Soete

6the Place - The Traka

The Ultimate Test

Unbound Gravel

Welcome to Unbound—the most prestigious and challenging gravel race on the planet. Held annually in Emporia, Kansas, this epic event pushes riders through the unforgiving Flint Hills region with courses ranging from 25 to over 350 miles. It's not just a race; it's a battle against the elements, against yourself, and against some of the world's most elite gravel athletes.

What makes Unbound truly special? It's entirely self-supported. Riders carry their own gear, food, and tools, making it as much about strategy and preparation as it is about raw power and endurance. For the Ridley Racing Team, this meant going all out in their preparation.

The Most Tested

Wind Tunnel Testing

Here's where the Belgian obsession with marginal gains really comes into play. The team didn't just train harder—they trained smarter. Using the Bikevalley wind tunnel, every aspect of the athletes' position and equipment was optimized for maximum aerodynamic efficiency.

The riders will be racing in our Epic Road Race suits—the same suits that Remco Evenepoel wore during his legendary performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. These suits have been tested and proven time and again to be the fastest race kit available.

For the varying conditions of gravel racing, whether dealing with colder temperatures or intense UV exposure, our Aero Sleeves provide an additional advantage, saving riders up to 10 watts—a massive gain when every second counts over hundreds of miles.

"Having a "beer belly" can actually give you an aerodynamic edge!"

Innovation Meets Practicality

The self-supported nature of Unbound presented a unique challenge: how do you carry the necessary hydration without compromising aerodynamics? Standard hydration vests can create significant drag, but our team found the solution through meticulous testing.

Working with Daan Soete in the Bikevalley wind tunnel, we discovered that positioning the hydration bladder (Camelbag) underneath the suit and partially in the shorts was the fastest configuration. Combined with our Epic Road Race suit, this setup can provide more than a 10-watt advantage. As they say, sometimes having a "beer belly" can actually give you an aerodynamic edge!