Ribble Collective rider Maddy Nutt's reputation on the gravel scene continues to soar, highlighted by her recent triumph in Kenya's Hells Gate National Park. The iconic setting, famous for its appearance in The Lion King, provided the ideal backdrop for Maddy to etch her name into the annals of gravel history.
So, your first UCI gravel win! Can you offer us some insight into how you achieved the race win and how it feels to record your biggest victory to date?
I think I might actually be the first British female to win a UCI gravel race, but you might want to fact-check that. Aha! Migration starts tomorrow. That's over four days and I'm hoping to podium or maybe win that, too… 🤞🏼
The race itself was super-tough. Mainly because of the course profile, which was super-sandy and technical, but also because of the extreme heat. I crashed early in the race on a deep sand section but quickly got back on and switched my head back into racing mode. Entering the second half of the race, I knew there was a 6km climb that I could take advantage of, and I pushed on up the climb, gapping myself from the rest of the women behind. With 12.5km left, my legs started cramping (both calves, one foot and quad!). I honestly didn't think I'd be able to make it to the finish, but luckily, the rest of the route was almost entirely downhill, and I was able to maintain speed and freewheel to the line.
Honestly, it feels incredible to have won a UCI race. Even a podium at this race would have been a fantastic achievement for me, but a win feels like something I could never have set as a target. I'm delighted with the result and feel it has given me a good confidence boost for the rest of the season. I prepared well for the race, so it's fantastic to see this preparation paying off.
How did that lovely new bike of yours perform?
The new bike was amazing. This was its maiden race, and I am so happy that I was able to achieve a result like that on a bike so personal and special to me. I definitely felt like the motivational messages and motifs emblazoned across the bike boosted my morale in the tougher moments of the race.
Without a doubt the toughest course I’ve raced, with miles of leg-sapping deep sand and slippy and rough descents!
Maddy Nutt A Race of Firsts
Before embarking on her trip to Kenya, Maddy was presented with a brand-new race bike. The unique Gravel SL featured a custom paint design that beautifully encapsulated Maddy's transcontinental gravel adventures. Maddy graciously shared her personal inspiration behind this exceptional design.
So...Cool New Bike - designed by your sister, that's pretty special. Talk to us about the inspiration behind the unique design.
My solo travels inspired the bike. Gravel racing has taken me to so many incredible places around the world, and I wanted my bike to tell my story and take inspiration from my travels and life experiences. With so much of my travel being alone, it's so lovely to have a bike filled with memories and motifs from home and my travels. And being designed and illustrated by my sister means I'm bringing a piece of home everywhere I go! Special is definitely an understatement.
Talk us through your bike setup. Does it change with race tactics, terrain or distance?
This new Gravel SL is set up with my riding and racing block in Africa in mind. I'm running a 38T chainring with an 11-40T cassette, which should be sufficient gearing for the longer, tougher climbing days. I've decided to run narrower tyres this year because of intel gained about the Kenyan mud following extensive periods of rain. After coming unstuck in the peanut butter mud of Unbound last year, I've learnt my lesson about the necessity for sufficient tyre clearance in muddy situations, so I'll be running 40s rather than 45s.
Typically, with a race as long as Migration Gravel, I'd be keen to ride wider tyres, as this would be more forgiving for my back, but I've decided to prioritise clearance over comfort. I'm also riding the new wheels that I trialled at the Gralloch and loved. They are prototypes, so not something I can adequately delve into, but they felt fast, and that's what I want to think in this next racing block!
How do you prepare for an event like this? Talk us through your training, nutrition and mental prep.
An event like the migration gravel race requires a huge amount of base fitness and endurance, which has been my main focus this year. In preparation, I've put in a large volume on the bike with many 'non-stop' 8-hour plus rides to practise fuelling and boost my endurance. Beyond this, the race requires a huge amount of mental strength and resilience, which isn't something you can necessarily prepare for. There will definitely be several moments over the four days where I will be tested and have to push myself mentally and physically, and I have to trust in the resilience I have built over my life.
The race also requires diligence and good focus. Each day, you must be ready to race at 6 am, having raced most of the day before, which requires meticulous attention to detail and preparation. Preparing your nutrition for the next day, ensuring you've recovered from the previous day's efforts, and ensuring all devices are charged are among some of the tasks that are pivotal to this race.
On the nutrition front, I will focus on gels, carb mixes, and sweets, and if I can find any whole food to incorporate into this, I'll try to incorporate those too.
You have taken on this event before; what makes it so unique and memorable for you?
This race is like no other race I've ever done, mainly because it's so remote and challenging. It's more than just a bike race and requires a massive amount of dedication and preparation to race well. Beyond this, there is a powerful community feel at the race, and last year, I built many great connections and friendships with the other participants. It takes a very unique person to want to push themselves to complete a challenge this long and arduous, and the camaraderie between racers each day was amazing to see.
My big goal for this year is the Migration Gravel race, which is something I've made no secret of. Coming 2nd last year really inspired me to see whether I can push that top step, and I'm so excited to be back. My fitness is beyond where it was last year, but some really strong women are racing, so I'll just have to give it my best shot.
It's quite something racing across the wilds of the Maasai Mara; how do you get to appreciate what's around you?
I can only describe the whole experience as surreal. Racing next to a giraffe is not something you can really do anywhere else! It's definitely a race where you have to switch off the race brain at points and appreciate your environment and backdrop. There's also an incredible amount of support from people on the course, which I found really emotional last year, particularly when you see groups of small children excited to see and cheer you.
It's quite something racing across the wilds of the Maasai Mara. How do you get to appreciate what's around you?
I can only describe the whole experience as surreal. Racing next to a giraffe is not something you can really do anywhere else! It's definitely a race where you have to switch off the race brain at points and appreciate your environment and backdrop. There's also an incredible amount of support from people on the course, which I found really emotional last year, particularly when you see groups of small children excited to see and cheer you.
Tents or hotels?
The Migration Gravel race is a tent affair, and I love it. It's not for every type of racer, and I know plenty of riders who wouldn't enjoy the lack of control the race offers regarding your sleeping environment, etc. Some of the camps are wild camps, so the shower facilities are someone emptying a hot bucket on your head. For me, that is all a part of the experience and challenge of the race. You're eating food you're not used to, sleeping in non-ideal conditions, and entirely self-sufficient. That excites me as it puts everyone on a really even playing field.
Tell us something we don't already know about yourself.
When I was younger, I rode a unicycle to school daily with my sister.
To celebrate men's health week, we spoke to ex-serviceman and Ribble ambassador Darren Hardy about his battle back from the brink to completing some of the world's most gruellingfeats of endurance. Read on to find out more.
