Meet the Ambassadors
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ALEXIS ROCHE | France
I'm Alexis Roche, a 24 year old Irish gravel rider living in Antibes on the Côte d'Azur (South of France). I used to race on the road at Elite level in France until 2020 before I started working for The Service Course. This is with them that I have been initiated in gravel. Since it escalated quickly to just casual rides to ride the World Championships last October and building our own team with my brother Nicolas- it became a pure passion just loving the gravel spirit and atmosphere. I love northern Europe so I'm really looking forward to going to Finland for the first time!
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LYDIA IGLESAIS | Spain
My name is Lydia Iglesias, I'm from the north of Spain. I used to be a cross country skier and I've been in the National Team for four years, racing all over Europe. Three years ago I switched to road cycling and I had the opportunity to sign for two UCI continental teams and do pro level races. Last year I started to work as a nurse and quit road racing but then my gravel adventure also started! I won The Traka 200k in May and since then I started to be part of Cafe Du Cycliste Gravel Team. With them the real adventure started, and I've been racing gravel for the whole summer. I had the opportunity to be in Unbound (USA), The Rift (ICE), The Gravel World Championships 2022 in Italy, among other races. And now I can't wait to visit Finland and join the gravel community again for another amazing race!
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JONAS FISCHER | Austria
My whole life basically turns around bikes. I’ve spent my whole youth racing at junior road & track races, but like most of the kids I didn't turn pro. In 2014 I discovered fixed gear races. I quickly figured out that I didn't like it because of the races, but because of the community. I really enjoyed meeting new people every weekend, having pre and after parties and basically spending a whole weekend with people who have the same passion. After a long trip with my fixed gear bike to the big cities in Asia I discovered bikepacking with my cyclocross bike. Travel slowly with just the basics I needed. I guess at that time I created myself an antipole to the fast and loud fixed gear world. But after a while I discovered more and more similarities of fixed gear and gravel bikepacking.I love the spirit and the community I found at gravel events. The friendship, the chitchat and the supportive mentality.
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MADDY NUTT | United Kingdom
Based in London, UK, I started cycling just over 4 years ago, and my love and addiction to the sport and more recently gravel, has grown exponentially since! With my current highlight being racing the Gravel World Champs this year in Italy. When I am not riding/racing gravel bikes, I am a math tutor and love making my own fresh pasta. I am super excited about FNLD GRVL and sharing my excitement for the inaugural events with other gravellers. I have never explored Finland, and can imagine that the beautiful gravel trails are far superior to my London roots.
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HANNAH JOHANSSON | Sweden
I am Swedish, and my home is in Stockholm. When I don’t live here I am probably somewhere around Europe, training or racing. I have raced on a Pro Continental level for a couple of years now, but this year was the first time I tried racing gravel. I raced the Gravel Grit n’ Grind in Halmstad, Sweden and loved it! Also qualified for the World Championships there, so my second race was Worlds in Italy. Next year I am planning to do a lot more gravel, hopefully also setting up a team based in Stockholm. Being both a F1 fan and looking for new gravel adventures, racing the FNLD gravel is a definite on next year’s schedule!
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DIANE EDWARDS | Australia
I am from Melbourne, Australia and have background in competitive long-distance trail running, before making the switch to road and crit racing in 2015. I bought my first gravel bike in 2016 and was hooked!
With the return to travel and racing in 2022, I was very happy to place 2nd in my age group in three big events - the Australian National Gravel Championships, the UCI Gravel qualifying race and the 247km Dirty Warny. I can't wait for all the travel and adventures in 2023, including FNDL GRVL!
I now split my time living between the city and Victoria's High Country - Australia's premier cycling destination for road, gravel and MTB. I love to guide people on amazing ride experiences, especially where I can encourage and suppprt more women to join in and challenge themselves.
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STEVEN DAVIS | Spain
I was born in Pennsylvania but my passion with cycling began in Southern California. For the last 8 years, I have seasonally split time between Tucson, AZ and Missoula, MT.
During this time, I have been working for The Cycling House as their head Chef and racing gravel all over the US and Europe. Very recently, I have obtained my Spanish residency visa and I am getting the chance to call Girona, Catalonia home.
Sharing gravel roads with friends, while touching moments of the “unknown” in a beautiful country is such an incredible opportunity. I began this sport with the dream of seeing the world on two wheels and the chance to experience the first ever FNLD event in Lahti, Finland is such a privilege, as it will also be my first time visiting Finland. For me, this is about truly living your own ethos, and sharing that energy with everyone!
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NIKITA KRISTINA | Denmark
I'm Nikita Kristina, and I have a huge passion for cycling, both on the road and on gravel. For me it's all about exploring nature and being social. Especially with other women, which is also the reason I started GIRL GANG CC, a local cycling community for women and girls in my city. Besides riding my bike and rolling out with the GIRl GANG CC and my friends, I like to go for a run or go to the gym. I travel a lot with my boyfriend because of his job (a Canyon Pro Triathlete), and happily I most of the time bring my bike with me. I like to show my followers and people I meet in my everyday life and through my social media the joy of cycling and being in nature, and especially gravel riding. For me it's not about the watts or the other stats at all, but the love, joy and the feeling of freedom. When I'm off the bike, not wearing lycra and my helmet, I study marketing management and helping small companies grow their business through social media. And of course, I’m also down to hang with my friends and eat some food or grab a beer.
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NAOMI LANGARICA | Mexico
My name is Naomi Langarica, I am from Guadalajara, Mexico. I come from two cycling families from several generations ago and I started my cycling life at the age of five on the mountain bike, but years later I changed to road and I ride competitively. Being an ambassador of the FNLD GRVL means a lot to me because this is the first year that I am trying gravel and I am sure it will be a very fun experience. I’m super excited for it!
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JONAS ORSET | Norway
For more than a decade Jonas Orset has been a unique character in the world of cycling. His efforts extends far beyond that of a typical competitive cyclist. From early success as one of Norway's top U23 cyclist to becoming a household name within the cycling community.
While pursuing competitive goals he has always remained stedfast as a true cycling ambassador. Promoting the joy, adventures, and health benefits that cycling can provide.
A pioneer with success both as a competitive cyclist, adventurer, and creator. Constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved through the power of cycling. Breaking new ground, and forging his own paths in hope of inspiring others.
Now carving out yet a new track, embarking on new adventures and even more trailblazing efforts. He is ready to take the stage as The Nordic Trailblazer!