Former world and national champion Amber Neben has set her sights on new challenges and disciplines for the next phase of her career, and will compete primarily in the gravel program in 2022.

Neben will focus on preparing for the 2021 Olympic time trial in Tokyo and the World Championships in Belgium, where she finished fifth and fourth, respectively. After a long and illustrious career on the road, Neben says his focus will shift.

"I love riding my bike and the gravel world was an open door," he said. 'It sounds fun and welcoming. It's a new challenge and definitely makes me very uncomfortable! It keeps me connected to cycling and shows me a whole new world of riders.

." It gives me the space to shift gears from what I've been doing for over 20 years to what I plan to do more of."

Neben said that her program will include the newly launched Lifetime Grand Prix Series (including events such as UNBOUND Gravel, with $250,000 in total prize money), as well as Rebecca's Private Idaho in Nebraska, and the possibility of Garmin Gravel World to be included.

Saturday's Shasta Gravel Hugger in Northern California was Neben's gravel race debut.

"My first time riding and racing was a great experience," he said. The organization, set up, course markings, and safety were great. The scenery was amazing and the people I met were so cool. I would definitely go back."

While he is passionate about gravel riding and racing this year, Neben also made it clear that he wants to balance his ambitions with his life and values outside of biking, including coaching, inspiring and challenging others, and building a "virtual apprentice community."

"One of my great passions is getting people to try difficult things. I love that the intangible elements of being a champion, like PX4 (Neven's mantra for perseverance, endurance, vision, and strength), are cultivated through sports and demonstrated in all aspects of life." I want to help people become champions. There are so many moments of championing in the gravel world."

From a racing perspective, Neben is realistic about his level and will focus on improving himself in gravel this season.

"Honestly, I have a lot to learn. My skills are very far behind. On the bike, my goal this year is to keep improving, learning, and persevering."

"Off the bike, my goal is to continue to grow in my faith in the Lord, help others grow in their faith, and develop the inner strength to survive and thrive in sports and this crazy world."