Race Ready for Singen

NSF Team Preps for the UCI Gravel Showdown at
HEGAU Race in Singen

Photos: Timotheus Kredel

With the UCI Gravel calendar heating up, all eyes are on the upcoming UCl Hegau Race in Singen — a race known for its punishing blend of fast pavement, punchy climbs, and root-strewn forest trails. For the NSF NonStopFeelings team, it’s more than just another race. It’s a test of tactical sharpness, technical handling, and equipment that delivers under pressure.

As one of the most aggressive and performance-driven teams on the gravel scene, NSF doesn’t leave anything to chance. From rim-tire compatibility and pressure tuning to team-wide recon missions and race-day contingency planning, everything is dialed. We caught up with them just before race weekend to dive into how they’re tailoring setups for the uniquely challenging Singen course — and how they plan to race it when things get tactical.

You’ve raced a wide range of gravel events this year - how does your set-up for Aachen differ from, say, a rougher course like Traka or a flatter one like Limburg?

“We use the 40 Limitless Gravel wheels based on the course profile, and adapt tyre choice, width, and air pressure accordingly. Thanks to the wide internal rim width, we can run a 40mm semi-slick tyre for an extremely fast and aerodynamic setup - ideal for flatter Champagne-gravel races.
For technical courses like the Hegau Race in Singen, we trade a bit of aero efficiency for increased traction by moving to a 45mm tyre. The low weight of the 40 Limitless still benefits us, especially on the short, steep ramps that define Aachen’s more rugged sections. These wheels accelerate incredibly well, and overall, they’re the perfect foundation for any race setup.”

NSF is known for aggressive racing and pushing the pace early - how are you balancing a fast aero setup with the need for control and comfort over Singen’s technical sections?

“Before every major race, we recon the course and focus on key technical segments, which are crucial for tire setup. Our general principle is: if a section is rideable with a faster, narrower setup, we go for it. That means running a 40mm tyre that’s aerodynamically optimized for the 40 Limitless Gravel rim.
But when traction becomes critical - say, on descents or rooty terrain - we might opt for a grippier tread pattern first, before increasing tyre width to 45mm only if absolutely necessary. The beauty of the 40 Limitless system is its tubeless simplicity. We can adapt quickly and confidently.”

The UCI race format can get tactical fast. How are you preparing to read the race and make critical moves when the field splits?

“Alongside recon, our prep includes scenario planning - from analysing rival riders to defining where our support crew will be during the race. What if there's a mechanical? Where do we hand up bottles or adjust nutrition if the plan doesn’t hold? What should the team communicate if a rider misses the decisive group?
We plan for the worst so we’re ready for anything. And when it comes down to race day, it’s full commitment - from the riders on the road to the staff screaming their lungs out at the side of the course. That mix of preparation and passion works for us.”