Mazda Lauf Factory Racing

VeloNews article covering Baker’s Cascade Gravel Grinder Stage Race win!

Gallery: Three days of racing at the Cascade Gravel Grinder Omnium | VeloNews.com In Oregon, gravel racing is back on, and Breakaway Promotions just hosted a three-day omnium this past weekend featuring a Merckx-style time trial (with no aero bars allowed), followed by two gravel road stages. The Merckx-style time trial was a 5-mile effort on Friday afternoon. There was only 200....

Last, but not least! Meet Bret Wachtendorf

Bret is originally from Pennsylvania and currently lives in Basalt, CO. He’s been racing a bike for almost 10 years, and started riding his bike (outside of the neighborhood) to go to soccer practice. He attended Pennsylvania State University for an undergraduate degree in Economics and Spanish. It was here where he discovered the world of cycling. “Central PA opened up literally a whole new world for me. My first ever semester, summer of 2011, I remember riding the infamous Black Mo loop, about a forty- five mile round trip from State College with three decent climbs. As the road tilted upward on the biggest climb of the day, I just envisioned myself in the Tour. It’s cheesy but I’ve always dreamed big. I had a fair amount of success racing in college and made a lot of good friends along the way. When I graduated Penn State in 2015, I decided to try and go pro. While I never put pen to paper, I raced in plenty of professional races in the US, Canada, Romania, and Rwanda.”
When not riding his bike, Bret is usually found creating music, and working on applying to graduate programs to pursue a PhD in Economics. Last, but not least, Bret is due to get married to his amazing fiancé, Kasinee in May 2021, who also rides bikes.
Bret’s favorite thing about gravel:
“Gravel racing has given me a fun outlet, and a way to challenge myself with something old but something new. I dream big, and gravel riders and racers have some crazy ambitions too.”

Notable results:
1st Superior Morgul, 2019
1st Lyons to Ned Road Race, 2019
3rd Iron Horse Classic Road Race, 2019
7th Steamboat Springs Gravel, 2019
8th Stage 1, Joe Martin Stage Race, 2019

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Up next! Meet Nick Gould

Nick has over 20 years of professional racing experience. Mostly known for his XC, Marathon, and Ultra Endurance mountain biking career, last year he threw his hat in the gravel ring. Nick has raced all over the world including stage races in Switzerland, Colombia, BC, and all over the US. Nick owns his coaching business "PurEnergy Performance" and coaches other professionals and youth development programs in Colorado Springs. Nick's most recent accolade is being the first mountain biker to Everest in Colorado.
Nick's favorite thing about gravel racing:
“I really enjoy the team aspect and tactics of gravel racing. Coming from a mountain bike racing background, it is so individual. With gravel racing, there is a lot more drafting and race analytics that take place. I also love that almost every gravel race is a total slog and always ends up being epic with the last man standing sort of thing. And of course the places it takes you!"

Notable results:

1st Place Encierro Velo 100k, 2020
2nd Place Open Range 200, 2020
3rd Place Texas Chainring Massacre 100, 2020
3rd Place Gravel Nation 88 2020
3rd Place Grit 9-0 2020
4th Place Old Man Winter 2021


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