THE RIVER BY THE TRAKA · 6 SEPTEMBER 2026 · BOUILLON, BELGIUM

In contention.
Then a flat.

Donoven Francis at the 2026 Gravel Earth Series finale.

Donoven was in strong, top-25 contention around 67.7 km before a flat changed his race. His own account describes being in the second group on the road, fighting for a potential top 25 in the 160 km race.

The race account

In his post-race account, Donoven reported a sidewall puncture midway through the race and running out of CO₂. He described encouraging sensations in his legs and a performance that felt more competitive than simply surviving. Spain and Sweden were the next opportunities in his European campaign.

Position and result

Top-25 contention describes the race before the flat. It is not an official finishing position. The approximately 67.7 km reference comes from the athlete’s management account. No official finish place, time or classification is asserted here.

For teams and scouts, this report records where the race was going and what interrupted it. It should be read alongside the official timing record, rather than treated as a completed top-25 result.

The event

The inaugural River by The Traka took place in Bouillon on 6 September 2026 as the Gravel Earth Series finale. Cyclingnews reported a 160 km course with 2,550 metres of climbing and wins for Mads Würtz Schmidt and Geerike Schreurs. That report provides event context; it does not establish Donoven’s result.

Next planned races

Sea Otter Europe in Girona on 19 September, followed by Gravel Grit ’n Grind in Halmstad on 26 September. These are planned starts, subject to confirmation.