Karolina Migoń is on a hot streak.
The 29-year-old from Poland won the Traka 360 this spring. Then she traveled to the United States and won Gravel Locos. A week later, she was the sole survivor of a three-woman breakaway as she crossed the line to win Unbound Gravel.
Migoń wears the black and gold kit of Pas Racing, the gravel team made up of riders sponsored by boutique clothing brand Pas Normal Studios. Migoń’s results are well-earned and impressive, but another layer to the story is the rise of one of gravel’s most dominant teams.
In addition to Migoń’s win at the Traka, Pas took the win in the men’s Traka race under the power of Tobias Kongstad. Last year at Unbound, Pas rider Chad Haga placed second behind Lachlan Morton.
Pas Racing is a loose confederation of riders. They call themselves a team, but the riders’ only common sponsor is Pas Normal. For instance, Migoń races on a Rose bike, while Kongstad rides a Specialized.
“We are pushing each other,” Migoń said of her teammates. “We are learning from each other, and we have a big support. So staying at the Pas house, it's really nice. I can help with anyone. Everyone’s really chill, really helpful. I think that’s why our team is so strong.”
Pas’ dominance naturally leads to questions wondering whether road racing team tactics have made their way into gravel racing. In Sunday’s Unbound race, Migoń was in the breakaway with Pas teammate Cecily Decker. The two could have used their advantage against their third break companion, Lauren Stephens, but Migoń said they didn’t use any team tactics.
“Not really, to be fair,” Migoń said. “I would never say that we were pushing any more than Lauren because we were two on one team. We didn’t try to leave Lauren at any point.”
Stephens was the first to fall off the back of the trio, and then Decker cracked as well. Migoń rode much of the final 50 miles on her own, and finished nine minutes ahead of second-place Decker.
For her part, Decker was visibly wrecked and shaken at the finish. She said she messed up her first feed and got dehydrated. She then drank her fluids fast after the second aid, but she was still thirsty for the rest of the race – proof that even the race leaders struggle at the infamous Unbound.
Migoń and Pas Racing don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
“I think right now I just believe in myself,” Migoń said.
Read more from Unbound 2025:
- “I raced like there’s nothing to lose” – Cameron Jones wins Unbound Gravel and earns his wild card
- Unbound XL podium bikes: Rob Britton's Factor Ostro Gravel vs Lachlan Morton's Cannondale Topstone
- Chunky tyres and a computer that refuses to die: Heather Jackson's Unbound XL-winning Canyon Grail
- A drop-bar MTB for Unbound?! Why this custom Pivot LES SL could be gravel's future
- Unbound through the ages: The evolution of gravel race tech from 2006 to 2025
