Sierra Sims Showcases Grit and Guts at Unbound Gravel 200

Team Winston Salem’s Sierra Sims made her elite gravel debut at the legendary Unbound Gravel 200, and despite an early setback, delivered a performance that defined toughness and tenacity.

Through the first 30 miles, Sierra was absolutely flying. She rocketed into 14th overall in the elite women’s field by mile 31, riding in the front group with the biggest names in gravel. “It felt like a road race—but with way more chaos,” she said. “Everyone’s fighting for position, the roads are rough, and no one’s calling anything out. It was fast, dangerous, and honestly, really fun.”

But just as the momentum was building, disaster struck. While battling for a line on a torn-up gravel stretch, another rider bumped Sierra off-course. She managed to stay upright, but couldn’t avoid a large rock that gashed the sidewall of her tire—a devastating mechanical that can’t be sealed easily, even with tubeless. With no outside support allowed until designated checkpoints, Sierra was forced to ride 30 miles on a failing tire, constantly stopping to re-inflate with CO2 just to keep rolling. By mile 40, she had dropped from 14th to 64th place, effectively dead last among those who would finish. But she never quit.

At the first aid station (mile 70), the team replaced her tire, and Sierra immediately went back on the offensive. Over the next 130 miles, in relentless heat and brutal terrain, she clawed back 12 positions to finish 52nd overall and 27th in the elite women’s field, clocking in at 12:42:20 for the 202.5-mile course—an incredible effort considering she lost over 30 minutes to the flat alone.

Even more impressive? Her second half was faster than many of the riders around her. “I knew I couldn’t win after the flat, but I still wanted to see what I could do,” Sierra said. “I gave it everything.”

Unbound 200 demands strength—but this year, Sierra showed just as much heart. Her ride was a testament to the kind of athlete Team Winston Salem is proud to support: resilient, relentless, and ready for more.

Team Winston Salem is proud of her ride and proud to have partners backing athletes who give it everything—even when luck doesn’t cooperate.