Johnston, riding his Giant Revolt Advanced Pro bike with a CADEX 50 Ultra WheelSystem, Amp saddle and Aero Integrated handlebar to give him the ultimate combo of aero speed and control for the rugged terrain, turned in a nearly flawless performance to finish fifth against the deepest field ever at the grueling 202-mile race, which saw the fastest winning time ever from New Zealander Cameron Jones.
Also representing Giant were Dutch rider Adne Koster, who finished 11th, and Swatt Club team riders Jordy Bouts finishing 14th and Mathijs Loman finishing 27th.
The impressive ride by the Johnston moved him up to second place in the Life Time Grand Prix series standings. He finished Unbound, the second race in the six-race series, ahead of the overall leader and three-time series champion Keegan Swenson.
"Unbound Gravel is the kind of race that demands everything—from the legs, the mind, and the machine underneath you,” Johnston said. “I came to Emporia this year fully committed to going all-in for the win. While I came up just short of that goal, I’m proud to have pulled off a fifth-place finish at the most prestigious gravel race in the world.”
Johnston came into Unbound showing top form and riding a wave of momentum. He had won three of five gravel races he entered in 2025, including the RAD GRVL race in South Australia and a UCI Gravel World Series race in Tasmania. His strategy was to go hard from the start and win the first big battle for positioning.
“From the gun, I knew the pace was going to be intense—so I committed early and made it into the day’s first break,” Johnston said. “With the field stacked with talent and the gravel as relentless as ever, it felt like the right call to be aggressive from the start. My Giant Revolt and CADEX wheels handled the early chaos flawlessly—responsive, comfortable, and confidence-inspiring over every surface.”
At mile 40 the pro men’s field of over 150 riders hit Divide Road, a rutted and muddy section of the course that often takes a toll on riders and their gear. Jones and Swiss rider Simon Pellaud formed a two-man breakaway at that point, while Johnston got into a chase group of about 10 riders. As the race wore on, that group was whittled down to five including Johnston.
“We worked together to keep the momentum high and the pressure on,” Johnston said. “For hours, the miles ticked by and the legs held up, even as the course continued to throw its worst at us.”
The chase split up with about 30 miles to go, and Johnston was forced to go it alone in the final stretch. “At that point, it was just me, the wind, and the rolling Flint Hills,” he said. “I went deep into the tank to hold position, riding solo all the way to the line.”
Having experienced in years past the crushing disappointment that Unbound is known to dish out—including a DNF in the extreme mud of 2023 and being slowed by multiple tire punctures last year—Johnston was able to relish this year’s achievement even more.
“Crossing the finish in fifth was a mix of exhaustion and pride,” he said. “While I had eyes on the top step, this result means a lot—and it shows I’m on the right track and moves me into second place in the Life Time Grand Prix. The focus, the preparation, and the support from Giant and CADEX all made this possible.”
