Matthew Beers: The Ascent of a Gravel Racing Star

Matthew Beers has emerged as a significant force in the gravel racing world, especially since his 2024 move to Specialized Off-Road. His journey to the top of the cycling scene has been marked by remarkable power output and exceptional bike-handling abilities. Beers' consistent performance and strategic race approach have established him as a feared competitor among his peers, solidifying his reputation through multiple victories and a relentless drive for success.

Prior to his current prominence, Beers had already built a solid foundation in cycling within South Africa, competing successfully in road, mountain, and gravel disciplines. A brief but impactful period with UAE Team Emirates-XRG in 2019 hinted at his potential, but it was his 2021 Cape Epic victory, riding alongside Jordan Sarrou, that truly propelled him onto the international stage. This win was not a one-off; he followed it up with two more Cape Epic triumphs in 2023 and 2024, each time with different partners, showcasing his versatility and strength in multi-stage races. These achievements underscore his status as a versatile and elite rider capable of adapting to varying team dynamics.

The year 2025 presented its share of difficulties for Beers, beginning with mechanical issues and a less-than-ideal performance at the Cape Epic. However, his mid-season saw a resurgence of form, yielding strong results in races across the USA and Europe. Beers himself acknowledged the fluctuating nature of the season, noting a period of decline before finishing the year on a high note. This testament to his resilience highlights his mental fortitude and ability to overcome adversity, crucial traits for any top-tier athlete. His experiences mirror the unpredictable challenges inherent in professional cycling, where adaptability is as important as raw power.

Beers views the United States as a land of opportunity for aspiring gravel professionals, a sentiment reinforced by his own career trajectory. He emphasizes the unique competitive landscape of US gravel racing, contrasting it with the different challenges presented by races in other countries, such as the Traka and Gravel Burn. His observations shed light on the evolving nature of gravel racing as a discipline, where diverse terrains and race formats demand different skill sets. This global perspective underscores the rich tapestry of gravel cycling, attracting talent from various backgrounds and pushing the boundaries of the sport.

His return to South Africa for the Gravel Burn, a seven-stage off-road race, offered a stark comparison to the US racing environment. Beers noted significant differences in terrain—South African gravel often being sharp and loose, unlike the varied but generally more consistent surfaces in the USA. He also highlighted the disparity in the size of the elite racing fields, with American races featuring a much larger and more competitive peloton, demanding greater tactical awareness and fierce positioning. These insights provide valuable context to the global gravel scene, illustrating how geographic and cultural factors shape competitive dynamics.

Beers credits the intense competition in the USA and Europe for elevating his fitness and refining his race craft. This higher stimulus, he believes, has been instrumental in unlocking his full potential as a cyclist, pushing him to new levels of performance. His early career struggles with inconsistent fueling and a lack of understanding regarding optimal race-day nutrition have been meticulously addressed. Through years of dedicated practice and refinement, Beers has developed a precise fueling strategy that maximizes his immense power output, a critical factor for a rider of his stature and physical demands.

Despite his physical advantages, particularly his ability to maintain high absolute watts, Beers acknowledges the aerodynamic challenges that come with his height and build. Achieving an optimal balance between aerodynamics, comfort, and power on a gravel bike remains a complex puzzle for him, requiring constant adjustments and compromises. Beyond technical aspects, his approach to nutrition focuses on clean eating and maintaining a consistent dietary regimen to support recovery and prevent gastrointestinal issues throughout a demanding racing season. This holistic approach to his physical and mental well-being is key to his sustained success.

Looking ahead, Beers maintains ambitious goals for 2026, with a strong focus on key gravel races. Despite an off-season marked by a clavicle injury sustained after Gravel Burn, he remains determined to build on his past successes. His strategy revolves around consistency and a deep understanding of gravel racing's unique demands, from equipment choices to specialized training. Beers eyes prestigious events like Unbound, the UCI Gravel World Championships, the Traka, and the Sea Otter Classic, aiming for victories that would further cement his legacy in the sport. He also advocates for South Africa as a potential host for future UCI Gravel World Championships, emphasizing the country's vast and diverse gravel roads.