6th and 7th Place at The Traka!

Early May marked a major highlight on the European gravel calendar: The Traka in Girona. Our riders delivered strong performances, with Daan finishing 6th and Nicole securing 7th place in the demanding Traka 200. A memorable and educational experience for the whole team!

The weekend kicked off on Friday with the PNS Hill Climb Challenge, a 3 km uphill time trial to the iconic Sant Miquel Castle—an early test and a chance to improve start positions. Daan stormed to a 3rd place finish, while Violette claimed an impressive 5th. A perfect confidence boost heading into the main event.

On Saturday, the team lined up for the Traka 200—the main event of the weekend. Daan rode a smart and assertive race, staying near the front throughout and ultimately crossing the line in 6th place—another top result in an already standout season. Aaron pushed through for 36th, just ahead of Felipe in 42nd. Joris, dealing with lower back issues throughout the race, still managed to finish in 60th place—showing resilience on a tough day.

Nicole’s Strong Debut Performance

Nicole delivered a performance that mirrored Daan’s consistency and grit. Not only was it her debut at The Traka, but also her first gravel race over this distance. After the early climbing sections, she found herself in the second group, and at kilometer 120, she launched a solo effort. In the final part of the race, she joined forces with Carolin Schiff, which helped carry her to the finish. Despite a small mistake in the closing kilometers, Nicole crossed the line in 7th. Violette capped off a long and adventurous day with a 42nd-place finish.

This event marked our team’s debut at the very highest level of gravel racing. It was a big learning day, filled with valuable insights. We’re taking all of it with us as we set our sights on Marly Gravel and Unbound.

Rider Quotes

Nicole Frain:

"This was my first time racing The Traka—and also my first gravel race over this kind of distance. It didn’t disappoint. I knew it would be a big day out, physically and mentally. I have mixed feelings about my result. Finishing 7th is something I’m proud of: I was strong, I kept fighting, and I trusted the process all day long.

At the same time, I was a bit disappointed not to stay with the front group after the first big climbs—the pace was just too high for me. I love racing up front, so having to chase for most of the day required a real mental switch. Still, it was a huge effort and I know I’ll take some great training gains from this experience. I’m already thinking about coming back next year to see what more I can do!"

Daan Soete:

"Right from the start, I managed to get into the front group, where the pace was brutal—often over 500 watts. I rode cautiously on the descents, and in the flatter middle section, the lead group took a wrong turn, which allowed about 10 riders to rejoin. After the external feed zone, I lost both my bottles on a descent, so I had to grab some extra fluids at the final feed.

Despite that, I really feel like I got everything out of myself today. I’m looking forward to Marly Gravel—it’s a course that suits me well, and I think it could be a strong race for Joris too."