Remembering Zap’s Dirty Kanza

The sun came out and made it really hard

The 2019 running of the Dirty Kanza gravel race is in the books, and if there was one word that could best describe the ever-growing dirt spectacle, it would be “HOT!” Despite warnings of rain and tornados, 2019’s race was run under oppressively hot skies that stayed dry all day and into the night. In fact, on the morning of the race event founder Jim Cummins confided that if the race had been held the previous weekend it might’ve had to be cancelled due to all the flooding.

Although the race has grown to include over 2000 rider participating in a handful of different distances (350, 200, 100, 50, and 25 miles) it’s the 200 miler that is still the big deal. In the men’s race, despite the heralded appearance of World Tour Riders like Peter Stetina and Taylor Phinney, it was all-around gravel/criterium rider Colin Strickland who took top honors in the men’s race.

The women’s race looked to be a repeat win for Alison Tetrick, but in the end it was Amity Rockwell who was first in at just under 12 hours.

Taylor Phinney gets some post-race sustenance after a day filled with heat and multiple flat tires.

2019 Dirty Kanza 200 Men’s top 10

Colin Strickland, 9:58:49
Peter Stetina, 10:07:54
Alex Howes, 10:18:36
Lachlan Morton, 10:18:36
Payson McElveen, 10:35:29
Kiel Reijnen, 10:38:40
Joshua Berry, 10:38:40
Ted King, 10:38:40
Noah Granigan, 10:52:53
Tristain Uhl, 11:02:27

2019 Dirty Kanza 200 Women’s top 10

Amity Rockwell, 11:59:53
Alison Tetrick, 12:16:18
Sarah Max, 12:29:24
Kae Takeshita, 12:42:18
Olivia Dillon, 12:57:25
Amanda Nauman, 13:02:13
Amy Charity, 13:08:22
Judah Sencenbaugh, 13:19:02
Sarah Swallow, 13:22:47
Vicki Barclay, 13:32:21

Amity Rockwell introduced Allied’s new gravel bike with a single elevated chainstay with a big win in her second effort at the DK.

Although things didn’t work as planned (he pulled at mile 120) Troy was, as usual, meticulously prepared for the 200 miles…he thinks of everything.

Although race day was dry, there was no shortage of river crossings t contend with…in the attempt to cool-off, Troy used a few of them as swimming pools.

Former WorldTour rider and 2018 DK200 winner himself, Ted King hung in for a solid 8th place finish. The aero bars he used last year were now gone – which made it easier for him to rib those who used them this year.

Brooks brought over a team of cycling kooks including famed the social interloper “Ultra Romance”, all aboard a stable of Clutch bikes. The team may dress funny, but they have an unending amount of spirit and passion.

Peter Stetina was suffering some kind of front axle issue just prior to the start.

Neil Shirley took time to sing “Lean on Me” to his friend Brian McCulloch who had a tough day in the office.

Some finishers were in better shape than others.

In one of the year’s best race promotions, IRC took over the best Mexican restaurant in town and made some serious hat while the sun was shining to promote their Bokken gravel tires.

Speaking of Mexicans, here’s a shot of me leading out my pal Scott Montgomery just before the lights went out. My moral of the story…don’t forget to drink my friends, drink plenty, and drink some more!

At mile 70 it all came unglued…I never cramped so hard in my life…in 98th place at the half-way point, I was passed by 200 riders by the finish.

Dirty Kanza founder Jim Cummins remains one of the most soulful, passionate and dedicated race promoters we know. He keeps duty at the finish with medals and hugs late into the night.

Team RBA had a rough weekend in Kanza…we’ll be back next year to try and redeem ourselves.