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Our coverage of the 2018 Gravel Worlds is brought to you in part by Panaracer. Check out its line of gravel tires for your next adventure.[/caption]
Alison Tetrick had her eye on the sword given to the winner of the 2018 Gravel Worlds before her race started. However, to win the sword, she would need a reliable ship, er, bike to help her sail the gravel seas of Southeast Nebraska.
As she has done during her impressive run of gravel success, Tetrick went for her trusted S-Works Diverge. It was a good choice, given the success others such as Olivia Dillon have had on the flagship gravel bike from the Big S.
Tetrick successfully defended her Gravel Worlds title, and in turn, won the right to take home a sword to join the 2017 Dirty Kanza belt buckle in her podium prize collection.
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Alison Tetrick took home a sword for her efforts. 2018 Gravel Worlds © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]
We took a look at Tetrick’s S-Works Diverge after it docked in the harbor outside the SchillingBridge brewery at the finish line in Lincoln. Today, we profile her winning Diverge.
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Alison Tetrick’s 2018 Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]
Alison Tetrick’s Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge
During the past year, we have covered the S-Works Diverge several times, thanks in part to the success Olivia Dillon has had at the Sagan Dirt Fondo and Lost and Found.
The Diverge features an eye-catching Satin Gloss Oil and Gloss Light Silver paint scheme on the Fact 11r carbon frame. Her top tube features a bit of personalization reminiscent of her title as Queen of Kanza in 2017.
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Tetrick’s top tube features some personalization. Alison Tetrick’s 2018 Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]
Tetrick also personalized her number plate at Gravel Worlds. Tetrick received number one at Dirty Kanza this year, but number two at Gravel Worlds. Before the race, Tetrick moved up to bib one using a Sharpie, in hopes the change would be predictive of her finishing place.
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Tetrick MacGyvered plate number one for her title defense. Alison Tetrick’s 2018 Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]
Tetrick stuck with the stock S-Works build for her wheels and tires. She rolled on carbon Roval CLX 32 wheels with 700c x 38mm 2Bliss Specialized Trigger tires. The CLX 32 tires have an internal width of 20.7mm, which are a good complement to the high-volume tires the Diverge is spec’d with. The Diverge has room for tires up to 42mm wide, which is a trait it shares with its cyclocross cousin, the Crux.
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Tetrick used the stock Specialized Trigger 700c x 38mm tires for her Gravel Worlds adventure. Alison Tetrick’s 2018 Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]
The stock Diverge comes with a Shimano Di2 1x drivetrain, but Tetrick switched brands to use a SRAM Force 1 rear derailleur. She ran a 42t front chain ring paired with a Quarq DZero crankset and power meter.
Part of the excitement of Gravel Worlds is waiting for the Pirate Cycling League to release the course on Monday of race week. Tetrick loaded the route onto her new Lezyne Mega XL computer that the company recently released. The claims it has a battery life of up to 48 hours, which would make it well-suited for mega gravel events such as the 350-mile DKXL and Alexander 380 that is part of the Almanzo 100 as well as mere mortal 150-mile rides like Gravel Worlds.
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Tetrick recorded her ride and followed directions using the new Lezyne Mega XL computer that has a claimed battery life of 48 hours. Alison Tetrick’s 2018 Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]
Tetrick also used a Lezyne light on her handlebar to help guide the way during the early part of the race before the sun peered out over the horizon. Tetrick’s pedals were Speedplay’s minimalist Zero Pavé model, and she used a Specialized Oura saddle branded for the Specialized Bicycle Component University that teaches bike fitting.
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Tetrick’s pedals were the minimalist Speedplay Zero Pavé model. Alison Tetrick’s 2018 Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]
For more on Alison Tetrick’s Gravel-Worlds-winning S-Works Diverge, see the photo gallery and specs below. If you missed it, also see our profile of Amity Gregg and winner Colin Strickland’s Pinarello GAN GR Disk bikes.
Photo Gallery: Alison Tetrick’s Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge
Alison Tetrick’s 2018 Gravel Worlds S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine
