BLITAR – Gravel Blitar delivered a standout debut performance as mountain bike (MTB) athlete Andrian Kurniawan clinched first place in the 100-kilometer race, finishing in an impressive 3 hours and 23 minutes on Sunday (April 19).
Competing in the MTB category, Andrian crossed the finish line first at the iconic Penataran Temple tourist site after completing a grueling route that began at the Blitar Regency Office in Kanigoro. The race tested riders with long distances, steep climbs, and varied terrain across the region.
The victory marked Andrian’s first-ever participation in a gravel cycling event, an experience he described as both challenging and rewarding.
“I was interested because there’s an MTB class and the route is long. It felt exciting to push through climbs and descents,” he said.
Despite being familiar with MTB trails in Blitar, Andrian admitted the Gravel Blitar route presented a new level of difficulty. The course stretched from Kanigoro through Binangun and Wlingi, heading north via Gandusari before ending in Nglegok. With a total elevation gain of 1,040 meters, riders faced relentless uphill sections.
Still, the demanding route was offset by scenic views. Andrian highlighted the coffee plantation area in Karanganyar as the most breathtaking part of the race, featuring stretches through coffee and pineapple fields. The toughest segment, he said, was navigating sand mining zones and crossing river currents.
His journey to the top was far from smooth. Andrian fell during a steep descent near the Sutojayan-Binangun border after losing control of his brakes. He also battled dehydration, pushing through without stopping at early checkpoints.
Unlike most participants who paused at designated rest points, Andrian continued riding until the third checkpoint, where he swapped water bottles with support from his father, who followed on a motorcycle. He had endured thirst since passing through Talun district.
Interestingly, Andrian did not aim for the top podium. He believed asphalt-heavy sections would disadvantage his MTB bike, which performs better on rough terrain. Yet his endurance and strategy proved decisive.
Preparation for the Gravel Blitar race was relatively short. Andrian trained for just two weeks, focusing on long-distance rides exceeding 100 kilometers, including routes around Mount Kelud and southern Blitar.
Following his unexpected victory, he expressed eagerness to compete again in future cycling marathons.
“I didn’t expect to win, but now I feel even more motivated to join similar events,” he said.