Santa Vall Gravel stage 1 Hill Climb; Gravel Earth Series event one

Full race, with commentary and power, speed, heart rate, and grade data. This was the first race of my season, stage 1 of the three stage Santa Vall Gravel in Girona, Spain, which was the first round of the Gravel Earth Series. This race had a unique format. They called it a "prologue", but ran it as a mass start, which made for one of the more unique race experiences I can remember. 2 minutes of flat pavement, followed up ~3 miles straight up a super steep, rough dirt road climb.
Thanks to everyone that's commented and sent messages about our Mid South video next week. I'll publish stage 2 of this Santa Vall race using the same format in a few days. Give us your feedback and we'll keep trying to make these a little better throughout the year.
Podcast episodes with riders in this race:
Jasper Ockeloen and Ivar Slik: open.spotify.com/episode/0Osz...
Chad Haga: open.spotify.com/episode/6hYx...
Petr Vakoc: open.spotify.com/episode/5Gsu...

[@justchill]

I need more! Thanks for sharing this. Having this perspective and commentary at the pointy end of the race is awesome!!

[@seagulls4life12]

As a cat 3 road racer and gravel enthusiast it’s awesome to see what the pros are up to in Europe. Keep the footage rolling. It’s crazy that you guys can hold 600+ watts for so long, I do like 900 for 5 seconds and instantly blow up

[@travistej]

Cool to see a pro being so open about their power numbers in a race.

[@EVOQBIKE]

savage "prologue" for sure! dear Lord who is driving this pace!? great video format Payson

[@efraer]

Great riding and narrating, Payson. Really enjoyable!!

[@lazlo2511]

I reckon the editing has also improved. Can’t be easy sitting behind a laptop when you just done a few hours with a pro field! Hats off to Payson for taking us with.😃

[@jamessheker6109]

That was brilliantly done Payson ! Kudos to you!!

[@COMOMTB]

Really enjoy this format Payson, keep these coming. Adding the power data is great. Us mere mortals enjoy seeing what you guys can do

[@Cole_Paton]

Sheeesh NATHAN HAAS WITH THE MOVES !

[@Fedelia86]

Thanks for the numbers, it really helps to understand what's going on (and to be f*ing impressed)

[@doddforeman5703]

It’s truly amazing how hard you guys can go!!!

[@supakidgalaxy]

Loving these style of video.

[@davidparrott2090]

loved the data overlay, great video

[@barrowsworm1226]

Sick effort Payson, I am not used to seeing something like this in gravel. Love recording style and narration, and look forward to more.

[@mehrzadmazhari3144]

your video is very informative with the stats on the left and your commentary. I just bought a gravel bike and am planning to go to some gravel events in the near future. thank you!

[@dustyhoods]

It's really close to an MTB race. Interesting to see what other races will look like.

[@alexben927]

Looking forward to seeing a glimpse at the front on some of these races where Keegan is dominating

[@PaysonMcElveen]

I’ll capture as much of that as I can 🫠

[@Goodbarsix]

Please keep these coming! Great to watch anytime, but amazing on the trainer!

[@lucneree2270]

That's pretty exciting! Thanks for sharing those gems.- Speed, power, and hr data a big plus. Can we get a sponsor for those race vids to keep them coming all year long?

[@DDai-qd8uk]

Gnarly dude, keep up the epic stoke

[@birdbro1990]

Thanks for posting

[@antonlasy7501]

You know what. I'm watching this and thinking, Man, you need to recover better before the UCI gravel race next Sunday. Damn this is intense, I literally sweaty just from watching. And. Finally that day has come when someone from top 10 filming and covering those races. Thanks a lot Payson!

[@joe.laverick]

I ran out of talent with 250m to go. Vakoc do be a weapon.

[@PaysonMcElveen]

He’s pretty good

[@breaklessbeauty679]

Great video!

[@86309]

love seeing the metrics!

[@lazlo2511]

Wow… that’s some crazy watts, guys are killing it. Nice to get some riding done outside your comfort zone, you will need it, come Worlds. Great course and it’s so cool to see you mixing it with these other talents. Stay upright and focus on positioning so you can save a few breaths. Appreciate the upload, I think it needs to be called “IRF” In Race Footage”.

[@mickhurley7305]

Wow you are such a nice guy, the way you talk with such respect about your competitors.

[@keatongiett8012]

This format is awesome, I’d love to see these for the rest of the Grand Prix!

[@cassiopeia151]

mais por favor! Thanks, Payson!

[@joeyvalentic4439]

“Drops down to 400w, gives you some time for recovery” 🤣🤣🤣 insane bro

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Really enjoy this format and your positive commentary. Greets from Austria.

[@0Tesh0]

Cool additional context with the metrics on screen, nice touch!

[@haemstah]

I like your narrating style and the data graphics. Looking forward to upcoming races. All the best!

[@matthewsmith6486]

Great job! And I love the POV voice over.

[@davidbianic4350]

loving the format

[@vcletsgetit]

once again, great coverage

[@ralphteten2474]

Recovering ?!?…..you got jokes 😂. Rad effort my man. Appreciate your vids 🤘🏼

[@katherineedman4857]

Really enjoying this narration, inspiring me to start racing :)

[@hugovangent4594]

just insane how fast you go up that climb, it took me a few more minutes. Happy with your Fizik Vento Argo saddle though, see you at Traka and thanks for sharing!

[@jesserandall1819]

Another great video, thanks for sharing it!

[@claytonious_johnson]

Another great race video. And BTW, your Midsouth video is 100% better than Drew's. Keep being better than him in every way imaginable.

[@ReebDweeb]

Great perspective

[@garrettturbett593]

Interesting observation regarding the closeness of racing in Europe. Perhaps that comes from racing crits on very tight courses from a young age. Or maybe it’s just a style. Sort of similar to how they drive in Europe 😁

[@Mugochap]

Watts per mph ratio on those steep sections…. Dude. Impressive. Yes I know that’s not a real ‘metric’ but just had to call it out because of how crazy it was. 😂

[@PaysonMcElveen]

ya, this climb was super gnarly

[@azaryahcaldwell4462]

an analysation pasyson, ay that ryhmed a bit. but yea just call it that.

[@buzzman4860]

👍

[@Cole_Paton]

😘

[@disloyalyou5455]

What was the numbers from the whole climb ?

[@Timmeh2Buck]

I wish this climb was at the 100 mile point of Unbound

[@PaysonMcElveen]

You're describing The Traka 🤌

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

nathan ex mtb racer haha he must have had a few flashbacks

[@alexeypresnov4540]

can you please turn on speed also in km/h)

[@DJPaulSticks]

Pas Normal creating race teams. Here was me thinking that it was only worn by Influencers 😅