Mid South Gravel

It’s tough to put into words how delicate the balance is in our sport, success and failure are closer than you’d think.

This past month has been a real test for me and my knee. The unknowns are always the hardest part: How long? Why? What’s next? After dealing with persistent pain in the days following Valley of Tears, I decided to stick to the plan and head to Oklahoma to prepare for Mid South.

The Pro 100-mile race was on Friday, and I hadn’t ridden at all leading up to the event to give my knee as much rest as possible. After nearly pulling out, I decided to take the start. Meanwhile, with the help of my mechanic, I was scrambling to book an MRI as soon as possible. 

I managed to make the early breakaway, but after two hours of racing at 40+ km/h, I had to pull out halfway through the course to make it to my MRI appointment in time, hoping it finally gives me the answers I need.

The results are in, and it’s all good news! No major structural damage, just a minor inflammatory Plica membrane. Now that I have a clear diagnosis, I know what needs to be done: some dedicated rest, physio sessions, and a progressive return to the bike.

I'm incredibly grateful to the amazing people and sponsors who are helping me push through this tough time and supporting me every step of the way.

This is only the beginning 👊🏼