Tyler Williams and 2019 U.S. U23 Road National Champion Lance Heidt will represent the powerful L39LION of Los Angeles team in the Grasshopper Huffmaster Hopper in California this weekend. The race, the latest in the Grasshopper series, will feature 500 competitors, including Jeff Kabush, Katejina Nash, and Flavia Oliveira, in the 89-mile race.

According to race organizer Miguel Crawford, the gravel race poses a different challenge than the usual Grasshopper race, and Crawford told Cycling News that team tactics could determine the race outcome.

"This will be the first race where we will see team tactics because of the nature of the course," Crawford told Cycling News.

"The first 25 miles are flat, but there are a couple of gravel sections, and there's the possibility of wind. The first 25 miles are flat, but there are some gravel sections and possible wind. There are some climbs and the last 8 miles are flat. Most of the races in this series are important uphill races, and the strongest usually win, but this one could be a little different."

Williams has already competed in a gravel event this year and is set to compete in the Geysers/Pine Flat in early May. This event was not classified as a race due to COVID-19 restrictions, and instead athletes were asked to upload their times for the various sections. However, the Huffmaster reinstated a more traditional race environment.

"I think it's exciting to have longer races, especially as we get closer to the Pro Championships. As a Sonoma County resident, the Grasshopper Series is a big part of grassroots racing in the area. This is a very open and dynamic course with a variety of specialties that will make for tough competition, but Lance and I will be looking to play to each other's strengths and continue the team's success this season."

Hadiet, who previously raced for the Aevolo team, moved to the L39ON of Los Angeles team earlier this year and is looking forward to combining his road and gravel ambitions in the coming months. He said, "I'm very excited to be heading north this weekend to compete in the Grasshopper Huffmaster.

"It's been a few years since I've competed in a Grasshopper Adventure Series event, but I know there are always some great routes, so I'm looking forward to seeing what the course has to offer. Tyler and I will be competing against the best of the best on a route that is about 50/50 road and gravel. It's going to be a good time for sure."

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The L39ON pair will face a formidable opponent in former Olympic mountain biker Jeff Kabush. The 44-year-old veteran caught former Trek rider Peter Stetina on the final descent in the Low Gap round of last year's Grasshopper Series. Stetina took a lead of more than five minutes on the final climb, but Kabush's downhill skills were too great, and he rode solo in the final few hundred meters to a sensational victory.