Factor’s Rainbow Jersey Gravel Worlds

Even before all the riders started to arrive in Nannup for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championship, Factor was excited and preparing for a long weekend of activities and celebrations. After all, Factor was an official sponsor of the event and we opened a special FACTOR HOUSE at the well-appointed and strategically located Nannup Brewing Company, where Factor athletes and fans alike could congregate. And then there were our six Factor Racing members who would take part, all with a good chance at winning a rainbow jersey. 

At big events like Worlds, you always arrive with high expectations and well-founded hope, but the understanding that taking the victory is ultimately a question of pulling together a day where you not only have fantastic legs but also ride a smart race and enjoy a certain amount of luck. 

When Magnus Bak Klaris sprinted to the line with three other riders, the Factor family held its collective breath. And when he crossed the line first, he shook his head in disbelief while the rest of us roared with excitement. Against WorldTour competition and proven fast-finishers, Magnus Bak became the first full-time gravel racer to win the rainbow jersey. We can’t wait to see how the rainbow stripes will look on his ELARA. 

Ah, the ELARA. What can we say? Seeing it contributing to one of the biggest victories any Factor rider has earned, really reinforces just how well thought-out and executed the design was.  “It was very smooth and it was the fastest in the sprint,” Magnus said with typical sang-froid.

The ELARA reflects Factor's belief that the fastest gravel bike cannot be developed in isolation from the athletes racing it. And it’s beautifully appropriate that Magnus Bak played such an integral part in the bike’s development. The result is a race bike developed around the reality of the sport at its most competitive level: fast, technical, and unpredictable racing that can change dramatically from one event to the next.

Grabbing the opportunity

Though Magnus could reasonably be considered the underdog in the group, racing against two WorldTour pros and his own better known Danish teammate, he never lost his racing nous and reactive lucidity.

“Conor Swift attacked, and I followed him until 1k to go,” Magnus said after the race.  “For the sprint, I just had the perfect position in second. And then Conor Swift opened an early sprint, and I followed, and then...Yeah, went around him.”

A modest, calm assessment of what is the biggest win of his already impressive career. 

Magnus’ Danish and Factor Racing teammate, Jonas Lindberg, also racing on an ELARA, provided essential support, chasing down the dangerous breakaway to ensure his Danish teammates had a chance to take the victory. It’s no accident that in the winning lead group of four, there were two Danish riders. “I left it all out there today, with one clear plan in mind: Secure a rainbow jersey for Denmark. Rode with my heart and had an impact on the race, which makes me proud,” Jonas said. “I feel like we had a really good day as a team, so I'm happy to contribute a little bit to Magnus's win.”

“A lot,” Magnus immediately corrected him. It was a team performance, even if gravel has a reputation for being a semi-individual sport as opposed to the team dynamic you find on the road. Indeed, even if our own Factor Racing ethos emphasises individualism, this was a victory that was only possible through the collaboration of friends and teammates.

Gravel Worlds with an Australian Accent

Aside from the marquee events, the event in Australia took on a refreshingly familiar, community-focused atmosphere. The small town of Nannup acted as a great host to all the athletes and encouraged an appropriately Aussie-flavoured welcoming party vibe. Factor’s other athletes at the race appreciated the organiser’s efforts.

“I took 10th after a day of real racing. What an event,” Haley Hunter explained. “That was one of my favourite races in 15 years. The course was savage in a way only masochists and mountain bikers can appreciate: relentless ups, gutsy downs, and perhaps some wind and weather for good measure.”

Nicole Frain and Wendy Oosterwoud also took strong top-20 places, with Nicole in 12th and Wendy in 13th. “It was a pleasure to wear number 1 on my back during the worlds! It was a really hard race with muddy conditions,” said Oosterwoud, who was recently crowned the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series champion.  “Had some mechanical problems, but I’m happy with my 13th spot. It was a big adventure Down Under. Really enjoyed the beautiful gravel roads around Nannup!”

Frain was similarly impressed with the course and overall, pleased with her performance in what was a home worlds race. “I am genuinely really happy with how I raced my home World Championships,” Frain explained. “I didn’t give up, and I left everything on the ‘gravel.’ I finished empty and for that I can be really proud.” After illness hit her hard a month ago, just to be back to racing fitness was an accomplishment.

One of Factor’s athletes who was not so lucky was Petr Vakoč, runner-up in the 2026 UCI Gravel World Series. He caught a nasty illness early in his trip to Australia, and unfortunately, ended up having to scratch himself from the race.

Another Memorable FACTOR HOUSE

Factor’s Australia team led by Henk Vogels pulled together another amazing experience at the FACTOR HOUSE hosted by the Nannup Brewing Company. It proved to be a popular location not only for Factor personnel, but all visiting fans and locals alike. And the after party rocked, where they were able to celebrate the brand’s rainbow jersey winner.

“One thing that really stood out was the atmosphere at the afterparty,” said Factor’s Social Media Manager, Sophia Møller Kjær. “Having locals and cycling people all together, cheering, celebrating, and just enjoying the moment created a feeling that’s hard to describe. There was so much warmth and happiness in the room. It honestly felt like one big family.”

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