Petr Vakoč arrives in Emporia, Kansas, ahead of this weekend's Life Time Unbound Gravel 200 presented by Shimano, as the bookmakers' favourite for the men's title. The Czech racer came agonisingly close two years ago when Keegan Swenson pipped him to the win after more than 200 miles of mud-covered racing came down to a seven-rider sprint.
A ripped tyre in the 2024 edition quashed any hope of an immediate redemption for Vakoč, a former road pro and 2016 Brabantse Pijl winner. However, strong performances on the gravel so far this season suggest he has what it takes to take that all-important extra step up the podium.
