2025 Race Season

The season has been finished just over a month now and it has taken me a bit more time to reflect on the 2025 season. This season has been challenging both physically and mentally but also has been extremely rewarding in not only racing but also meeting new friends as well as being a part of Enough Cycling Collective. Going into my second-year racing gravel, I learned a lot from the 2024 season in terms of bike set up, nutrition and what kind of races I liked. Going into this season, I was eager to fix the mistakes I made in 2024, as well, I was looking forward to having team support as this was something I lacked in 2024. Looking at the year, I would say I am for the most part satisfied with how the year went; however, I still feel a sense of dissatisfaction and disappointment about not meeting certain goals and making similar mistakes I made in 2024.

Firstly, I am happy with my consistency this season. I was able to stay in the top 5-10 in majority of races I was in. I was better at meeting my nutritional needs most of the time (apart from the biggest bonk of my life in the Traka) as well, I had an overall better understanding and confidence with both my bike mechanic skills as well as my bike set up. I felt I raced with a bit more confidence this year and was eager to show myself and try new things. For example, attacking within the first hour of Unbound Gravel and riding 3 hours solo only to completely blow up. I look back at Unbound and what I did both with happiness but a big feeling of wanting so much more from that race. With that being said, Unbound 2026 will be at the forefront of my mind this winter. Another disappointment for me was suffering from mechanicals more frequently than I would have hoped. Some were completely out of my control and others I believe I could have avoided and cost me a couple of races. However, I would say the biggest disappointment as well as biggest learning lesson for me was the Traka. The first half of the race I was riding strong and was fighting for a top 5 spot. In the end I severely miscalculated my nutrition and completely bonked in the last 2 hours and finished in a disappointing 12th place in a race where I could have been in the top 5. I have been thinking about that race ever since and I am waiting to line up for the Traka in 2026 so I can finally get the result I want.

Post Traka disappointment
Photo: Chiara Redaschi

The next big disappointment for me was the Canadian National Gravel Championships. The race was only about 10 days after Unbound and this year I took a bit longer to recover than I wanted. Going into the race I was not feeling 100 percent ready, however, I wanted to do everything I could to win and to win in front of my family. In the end, I was second. As disappointed as I was on the day, there was nothing more I could have gave that day. I finished the race completely empty. With the big feeling of disappointment, sadness, and frustration that Nationals left me, I am going back to Nationals in 2026 with all my focus on winning.

Rainy finish at Gravel Nationals!
Photo: Michael Chan

Another important thing I learned this year is that racing more is not always better. It is hard not to get sucked in to competing in the most races possible. There were more races than ever this year and a big part of me was always worried I was missing out if I missed a race. With gravel becoming bigger and more competitive than ever, I learned how important it is that with every race I go to, I need to be on my best form both physically and mentally to compete with the best. Going into 2026, I want to be more mindful of my schedule by picking races that I want to target, building purposeful training blocks, and having more of the “less is more” mindset so that every race I go to I am at my best. It is also important to remember that gravel races are anywhere from 5, sometimes, 11 plus hours and each race will take a huge toll on your body, mind and equipment. For 2026 I have specific races that I will go into with the goal to fight for the win and some races I will use for training, but with the overall mindset that every race has a purpose. I also want to avoid going to races that may not suit me that well, for example, World Championships. This year, World Championships was not a race that suited me, but I still felt “I needed” to go. Looking back, I did not need to go, and it would have been better in the end not to. However, that is something I am changing for next year and when deciding my final calendar every race I choose to go to will have a purpose. I want to win next year, and I want to be competitive and the only way to do so is to be very strategic about both my training and racing.

One of the hardest races of the year, The Hills
Photo: Chiara Redaschi

Going into 2026 there are many things on my mind that I want to improve and change from this year but also carry forward the positive aspects of 2025. For example, continuing to race with confidence and having belief in myself and ability. I was also happy with how my training has gone this year. My coach Mark planned my year well where I pushed hard but also prioritized recovery, and it was interesting to note that this was the first year in a while where I did not have a serious illness where I had to miss training or racing. I believe this was due to Mark’s training plan as well as prioritizing rest, sleep and my nutrition. This is something that I will be taking forward to next season!

As this year closes, I would also like to acknowledge the people that have made this year possible. Firstly, I want to thank Enough Cycling Collective, specifically, Federico, Jacapo, and Mattia for giving me the opportunity to race with Enough and experience my real first gravel team. Racing with Enough was a big step up for me compared to racing on my own in 2024. Enough provided support in and out of races and amazing sponsors such as Basso, PAS Normal, Fizik, Pirelli, Never Second, AVEO and Fulcrum as well as a larger racing calendar that allowed me to grow as a rider. Enough was also a team that did not just focus on performance but also all of us as people and made every experience we had together fun and memorable. I am extremely thankful to everyone I met through Enough and have made life-long friends. Although I am going in a different direction next year, I am so thankful to have been a part of Enough. I will always cherish my time with the team. I would also like to give a huge thank you to Guru. Guru was a new sponsor for me this year but has provided so much support to me. I am so grateful that Guru has believed in me and my dreams. It has been a pleasure to be a part of Guru, and I cannot wait to continue to promote the message of Guru and continue using Guru in my everyday routine!

Finally, I would like to thank the people who are with me through this every day and supporting me through all highs and lows that come with cycling. Thank you to Inspire Athlete Management for continuing to fight and believe in me and making my dreams possible, and of course my family who have continued to be my biggest support system and show up for me every single day no matter what. None of this would be possible without all of you. After a nice break, I am now ready and motivated to get back into my training routine and to finish finalizing my plans for the 2026 season. There are exciting things that are in the works, and I cannot wait to share it all soon. Be sure to stay tuned and thank you for reading!

Final part of the season!

Gabby Traxler

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