Brennan Wins Huffmaster Hopper
Brennan Wertz started the 2025 race season on a high note: The reigning U.S. Gravel national champion won the 90-mile (150 km) Huffmaster Hopper in northern California. A punchy mixed-surface race with 5,000 feet (1,500 m) of climbing near the Snow Mountain Wilderness, the Huffmaster Hopper is known for its technical descents. The race has been part of Brennan’s early season calendar since 2021. He has now won it three times, and never placed lower than 4th. After the race, Brennan told us:
“The Huffmaster Hopper is one of my favorite events on the calendar for various reasons. It’s a beautiful course, the weather is usually wonderful, and the racing is always super-fast and tactical. This year was no different.
“The race started slow—no one was able to take control. Calm wind conditions made it difficult to escape the bunch. After about two hours of racing, we came to the biggest climb on the course. I managed to come over the top first, and this effort shattered the group.
“After the descent and the subsequent feed zone, a group of about ten of us coalesced. The pace was high, and I kept attacking. Ultimately the group broke apart on the final climb, where the final selection of six was made.
“With 8 km left, we turned off the paved highway and onto the final gravel section to the finish. About 500 meters after the turn was a big mud pit, spanning the entire width of the road and about 100 meters in length. I had checked it out in the morning and knew there was a very narrow, but rideable, line straight down the middle. Otherwise it was really tricky to stay upright.
“I led through the corner, attacked out of it, and had a small gap going into the mud. I stuck to the middle line, while the other guys behind me all took different lines. I rode hard and cleanly through it, and came out on the other side with a gap. When I looked over my shoulder, I saw the group slipping and sliding, with many of the others getting bogged down in the deep mud. I knew this was my chance.
“I put my head down and rode the final 7 km as hard as I could, ultimately crossing the line with close to a minute advantage over the chasing group of five.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year. I am excited to keep building on this momentum as I look towards Mid South, my next big goal.”
Brennan rode on 700C x 35 Bon Jon Pass Endurance tires on Enve SES 4.5 wheels—the same setup he has now ridden to three victories in the Huffmaster Hopper. Congratulations, Brennan—and good luck for the upcoming season!
Photo credits: Brian Tucker (used with permission)
