For years, Unbound Gravel organizers have wanted a partnership to have live coverage of key aspects of the main event. On KVOE’s Talk of Emporia on Thursday, longtime organizer Kristi Mohn announced that dream is now reality.
Coverage will start as the 100-mile finishers come into town and will feature different interview packages. Folks watching will also see live coverage from the field of the last 20 miles of the men’s and women’s races.
Watch parties are planned at Trolley House, Bourbon Cowboy, Granada Theatre, Charlie’s Place and Town Royal. There will also be a big-screen TV available at the finish line party Saturday night. Because FloSports is a subscription service, plans for private viewing at home are being discussed.
The plan was to debut live coverage last year, but that plan was shelved due to coronavirus.
Volunteer opportunities are still available, according to Treva Worrell
People can also volunteer 10 hours of time and skip next year’s lottery if they want to ride.
In addition, the field for the 200 and 350 XL races will see some of the top names in distance or endurance cycling. There will also be more tracking pads along the route to make it easier for people following the overall event or certain riders to track their progress.
The official rider check-in will be Thursday at the Lyon County History Center with several preliminary races taking place that day. On Friday, June 4, the Unbound XL, Juniors, 25- and 50-mile races all start or take place. The 100- and 200-mile races will be held Saturday, June 5, and the start and finish line activities will again be open to the public. The awards ceremony is June 6 in the 700 block of Mechanic.
Around 2,700 riders are expected for all the races this year.