Heavy Lies the Crown

Gravel racing has always been a test of resilience, a rarified path ridden by those who don’t just chase the podium but find meaning in the mud and miles that lead to the throne. Ted King has built his legend here—not by racing for the fame and fortune, but by riding for something immutable. With two Unbound wins behind him and a lifetime of experience on roads that have put every inch of his mind and body to the test, Ted’s return isn’t a chase for a title. It’s a story of loyalty to a discipline, an art form that demands more from its racers than most could ever give.

In the 2024 Gravel World Championships, Ted’s journey was as real as it gets. Narrow stretches that seldom allow one rider through, ever-changing conditions, and a course that favored agility over brute speed—all elements that embodied the wild spirit of gravel racing. And in his steady pursuit, Ted wasn’t aiming for a “Hollywood comeback.” Instead, he honored the race and what it represents. Steadily carving his way through the dense pack from a starting position deep in the field, never losing sight of what brought him here in the first place: a commitment to the gravel, the dirt, and a deep-rooted passion that kept his cranks turning, year after year.

Racing from 278th to 125th may not be headline-making to most, but for Ted, this was a victory on his own terms. Each rider passed was a myopic victory, a nod to every ounce of training, every early morning, every mile he’s ridden to master the art endurance. Knowing he’s backed by a brand that, like him, values the raw, unfiltered spirit of gravel racing. Cannondale knows that each race, each ride, is a part of a story bigger than a single win.

This is gravel’s golden age, a new frontier where riders like Ted are forging paths not just in the mud, dirt and dust— but in the legacy they leave in their wake. Ted King and Cannondale humbly honor the beauty of this sport, where speed and spirit come together, led by the one true King of gravel.

Ted's remarkable story has reminded us that thrones made from gravel will crumble and fall, but the crown of a King is eternal.