Freddy Ovett: Building Slow to Go Long at Traka 360

For most gravel pros, January 1st is already deep into base season. But for Freddy Ovett, that was day one. No races. No panic. Just patience. After December marathons in Valencia and Malaga, Freddy made a conscious decision to take a longer break and build slowly—something he believes will pay off when he lines up at Traka 360 for his first race of the year.

"The season is so long in gravel. Traka and Unbound are the real ones that matter to me. Everything else is noise."

That clarity of focus has shaped Freddy’s approach to 2025. While others race early-season events, he’s been logging long solo efforts, fine-tuning his nutrition and equipment, and preparing for the unpredictable in his own way.

Skipping the Races, Trusting the Process

Traka 360 is no small first race. It’s 360 kilometers of grit, strategy, and self-reliance. But Freddy isn’t fazed. He’s confident that you don’t need to “race into form” when your training is grounded in purpose.

"You can’t replicate a 12-hour effort in training. If you try, you’ll just hurt yourself."

Instead, he’s been building through 6- to 8-hour rides at mid-Zone 2, with sub-threshold sprinkled in. It’s a method based on years of experience—not chasing numbers, but understanding how his body feels at different efforts and intensities.

"I’m 31 now. I’ve been doing this for over a decade. I used to chase numbers. Now, I chase a feeling."

Threshold for Freddy is about what you can actually do—not in theory, not when you’re tapered or adrenaline-filled, but day-in and day-out. In practice, he often rides just below threshold, typically around 370 watts, but it’s fluid.

"I don’t look at power when I ride. I just lap it at the start of a climb and check it after. That’s how I understand what I had in me on the day."

Recovering from Burnout, Gaining Clarity

Last year, Freddy admits he overdid it. He was training hard, trying to match what others around him were doing, and kept getting sick.

"If you’re getting sick all the time, that’s your body saying: slow down."

This year, he’s coaching himself. While he still consults with other experts for input, Freddy ultimately makes his own training decisions - and is feeling better for it. It’s been a breakthrough—not just physically, but mentally.

"I spent a lot of time on the road and eventually realized that structure wasn’t for me. Gravel is different. It’s personal. It’s free."

He’s also careful about the mental game—keeping distractions low, staying present on the bike, and avoiding information overload.

"I only have the map screen on race day. No distance. No time. If you give yourself too much info, you can talk yourself out of it."

The Role of COROS DURA in Long Efforts

Freddy might train by feel, but he still respects data—especially after the race. His COROS DURA plays a key role in both preparation and execution.

"Battery life is a huge one. I’ve had units die mid-race before. With DURA, I know it’ll last the distance."

COROS also helps him monitor recovery in a meaningful way. While he’s not staring at the screen during rides, he checks the training status and recovery metrics every day.

"Going in undercooked is fine. Going in overcooked is not. The COROS app helps me keep that balance."

The Traka Mindset

Traka is more than a race to Freddy—it’s where it all began. Three years ago, it was his first gravel event. Now, it’s the one that matters most.

"It’s my European home. My family’s from here. It will always be my most important race."

Last year, Freddy had a DNF—but not because of fitness. After 9.5 hours of racing and with just 90 minutes to go, a mechanical forced him to pull out. And still, it gave him confidence.

"I knew I was riding well. I wasn’t down on myself. The only frustration was wondering how I would’ve handled the final 90 minutes. Maybe I would’ve flown. Maybe I would’ve exploded. That’s racing."

Advice for Riders at All Levels

Whether it’s gravel or a marathon, Freddy believes success comes from training at the pace you’ll race.

"Forget the 1% things. Focus on the 99% that actually make a difference."

Train your body to be efficient at the effort you’ll be doing on race day. And when it comes to pacing—stay within yourself.

"You’ve got to have an internal governor. Don’t get dragged into someone else’s race. Ride your own."

And most of all—embrace the uncertainty.

"There’s always going to be an unknown. That’s the fun part of race day. Can I still do this? Can I actually do this? That’s where the magic is."

Looking Ahead to Traka & Unbound

With Traka kicking off his 2025 season, Freddy knows he’s doing things differently. But that’s exactly the point. In a sport where everyone’s chasing marginal gains, Freddy is building something more durable: confidence in his own approach.

Long rides, smart recovery, and a little bit of faith.

Let the season begin.