Why Freddy Ovett & Greg Van Avermaet use Cyclowax hot wax on gravel

Gravel is booming. Long rides, rough terrain, dust everywhere — and bikes taking a beating. At Traka in Girona, two cycling buddies — Greg Van Avermaet and Freddy Ovett — sat down to talk about what makes the difference when you take on gravel races. Not just watts. Not just legs. But equipment too. More specifically: why hot wax is the clear winner when the roads disappear. We filmed their full conversation — you can watch it now on our YouTube channel.

Pro rider

Greg’s Take: From WorldTour Roads to Gravel Dust

Greg Van Avermaet has spent most of his career riding the biggest races on tarmac. For him, watts are everything. But when he switched to gravel, he discovered something new: it’s not only about saving watts — it’s also about staying clean.

"On the road, watts matter. On gravel, watts and cleanliness matter even more.”

Greg has been riding on hot wax for years now, and he’s very clear about it: there’s no going back. A waxed chain runs smoother, stays clean in the dust, and makes the whole bike easier to handle when the conditions get rough.


Greg van avermaet bike trip

Freddy’s Take: Gravel Watts + Zero Maintenance

Freddy Ovett isn’t a WorldTour rider with a full team of mechanics behind him. He races gravel, trains on Zwift, and manages his own bikes. That means reliability and easy maintenance matter as much as performance.


"I don’t have a full-time mechanic. Hot wax makes the bike faster and bike maintenance easier.”


Freddy actually got into hot wax because of Greg. And once he switched, the benefits were clear: more speed, less hassle, and a chain that stays clean long after the ride is done. His verdict is simple: once you ride wax, you don’t go back.


Freddy Ovett Cyclowax

Both Greg and Freddy ride the same Cyclowax setup:


  • Clean chains, pre-waxed and ready to ride

  • Performance Wax Tablets for speed and durability

  • Pocket Wax for topping up on the go


It’s the combination that keeps their drivetrains fast, clean, and almost maintenance-free — whether they’re on gravel in Girona or riding indoors on Zwift.


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