Today marks our first ever interview on the Holy Sprit of Gravel podcast. We are calling this series the Beyond Privateer Chronicles (until I think of something better).

We're joined by German pro elite hitter Paul Sandmann. You might know him for his 38th place result in Unbound 2025. He pulls back the curtain on life as a lesser-known gravel hitter, if the privateer model is worth it, and the differences between Euro gravel and American prestige gravel. Oh and he's Rosa Kloser's boyfriend.

We here at HSOG productions make an effort to highlight the lesser known hitters whose stories deserve to be told.

We get to hear unfiltered views from inside the men’s elite field, such as:

-Tim DeClerq policing the Unbound breakaway

-The future of steel/metal/magnesium bikes

-The best tire to rollover a water bottle in a rut

-What can sponsors truly add to a privateer

-Who gets to debrief first: Paul or Rosa?

-politics of Unbound Drafting

-is Chase Wark shadow banned in Europe?

-are Hambini and Peak Torque accurate from an engineer-privateer point of view?

-what it’s like being a member of Team RK (team Rosa Kloser)

-how to travel with your bike like a pro

And much more…

We hope you enjoy the first in what will be a continuing series in highlighting the best of our deranged sport.