Mattia De Marchi is the legend of the Traca. In 2023, we won the overall title in the Gravel Earth series. But unrestricted gravel has been an evasive target until he lands the final spot on the podium of this year's five riders in the 200-mile U.S. endurance test. 

The Italian has a big engine that he uses to mow hilly areas, long distances and rocky roads, so the unrestrained gravel is a former road dry, but his first 2 appearances ended with 13th and 41st finishes.

In his new approach to Unbound, De Marchi used the word frequently repeated by the Flint Hills veteran - "luck" - and he also reduced stress Luck doesn't have a big mechanical thing. "Maybe it's the best day of your life, but without luck, maybe not," he said. The margin includes an edge with mental strength and confidence in racing equipment. 

"After a few hours of racing, I told myself, "I'm running enough for fear that something won't work." Press and enjoy."I'm proud of my 5th place," Demarchi posted on Instagram the day after he became 5th in Unbound Gravel200.

He was not tied to an unpublished variable depth fulcrum wheel, Schalk, on his Basso frame. Lachlan Morton (EF Education-EasyPost), who set the fastest time on the 200-mile course, won a two-up sprint with Chad Haga (PAS Racing) at 9:11:47. 

De Marchi will follow a group of three to set a lifetime unbound podium, surpassing a strong field including silver medalists Greg van Avermaet and Joris Niewenhuis at the 2024 Cyclocross World Championships.

"Saturday is just 10 hours in the race, but other times of the week are more important. It's just a race and I don't want to put a lot of stress on my body. I love it and I love this situation. It's just a race," Demarqui told Cyclingnews.

Demarchi spent 2 weeks in Emporia, Kansas, where he was runner-up in the 2024 Santa Val Gravel Stage Race Morgan Aguirre and former road pro Frank Bettini from the United States, with enough cycling staff and 1 team-mate. His first stop in town was Walmart shopping for supplies for his team, and after the competition it was all about "maybe pizza, barbecue, beer drinking". 

"The first rule when it comes [to the race] is to go to the market and buy a lot of pasta. The day before the race is like pasta for every dinner or lunch. And you need maybe some junk food for your heart," he said carelessly and seriously.

On reconnaissance of the North Course, Demarchi, who arrived just 4 days before the race, said he was pleased to see not much mud, but knew he would expect something unexpected with gravel.

"The first year, I remember the last four hours it started without rain, I lost the top 10 because I don't use my glasses for mud, and my eyes were completely different last year, the last 3 hours I saw nothing, the previous day's storm and a lot of rain [muddy]. 

"It's usually quite rocky in Italy. The gravel there, for me, is really easy and quite normal. I love climbing, unrestrained is not flat, right"It's a challenge and an opportunity for me.

This year, he only targeted Unbound for a 1-week trip to the U.S. and did not travel early in 2023 to compete in the Top 10 Gravel Locos. He was less stressed this year and in better condition mentally and physically. His summer program back in Europe will include the Italian Gravel Championship, which will be held at 6.30 PM on the Pavia hill in Golferenzo.

"The plan is a Kenyan UCI race before Safari gravel migration gravel. And then I have the Italian Championship. And then memory gravel and maybe crevices. Then I do not know. I'm really focused this year for the World Championships because it's really fast.

The sponsors of his team host a 700km bike packing journey, Memory Bike Adventure, 7 May 9-14, not supported in northern Italy, linking landmarks from the First World War. He said he added it to his calendar as well.

At the age of 33, Demarchi found his sweet spot on the gravel.

"The dream of just riding the Giro d'Italia will not go away completely. But for now, that dream is parked in the back of my mind," Demarchi told Enough Cycling founder Federico Damiani. "Sometimes I think about it, but I changed my perspective.”