We’re incredibly sad to report that star gravel racer Moriah Wilson died on May 11 in Austin, Texas.
Her tragic death is suspected to be a homicide, and detectives have identified a person of interest. She was just 26 years old.
Wilson was staying in Austin to prepare for the Gravel Loco gravel race held on May 14. Wilson was a star in the offroad racing world with major wins this year, including the third Grasshopper Adventure Series race in March, then the Sea Otter Fuego 80K XC in April.
Moriah Wilson won the Fuego 80k mountain bike race at the 2022 Lifetime Sea Otter Classic. © J. Silva / Cyclocross Magazine
She followed that win with a resounding 25-minute solo win at the Belgian Waffle Ride two weeks later.
Moriah raced the 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross Nationals in Lakewood, Washington, finishing 26th behind winner Clara Honsinger, and climbed onto wide-angle gravel podiums back in 2019 with a fourth-place finish at Grinduro, racing for Huck Racing.
I met Moriah at the Sea Otter Classic in October 2021. Specialized was introducing the new Crux and she was the one in the booth to review the bike with me. I asked to photograph the Specialized Crux and Mo’ offered her bike.
Gravel Star Moriah Wilson with her new Crux. © C. Lee/ Cyclocross Magazine
Moriah introduced herself and humbly told me she was a gravel racer partly sponsored by Specialized. She had moved to my hometown of San Francisco after college and raced some cyclocross as she transitioned from Alpine ski racing. Little did I know her palmarès, and what a star she was about to become.
Gravel Star Moriah Wilson with her new Crux. © C. Lee/ Cyclocross Magazine
Moriah Wilson died of gunshot wounds and the case is under investigation. This is a sad, unbelievable loss to the gravel racing and cycling community at large.
The family asks for privacy during this moment of grief, but aims to focus on celebrating her incredible life.
