Melisa Rollins and Keegan Swenson both produced incredible performances to win the 30th Anniversary Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik.
Source: press release
Rollins claimed his first ever triumph at the Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda by pushing his way through a leading group and, after initially attacking on the Powerline descent, he made the move that mattered, passing Sofia Gomez Villafane and Michaela Thompson on the Columbine climb.
That was the last time Villafane and Thompson saw the 28-year-old as she gradually increased her lead on the trip back to Leadville, eventually stopping the clock with a winning time of seven hours, 10 minutes and 10 seconds.
Rollins cried with joy as the magnitude of her victory sunk in, and that result completed a stunning one-two for her after also triumphing at the Life Time Leadville Stage Race presented by Kenetik last month.
Villafane, meanwhile, took second place by crossing the finish line three minutes and 53 seconds behind Rollins, with Thompson taking a hard-fought third place, 22 seconds further back.
The results mean Villafane returns to the top of the overall standings, where she now has a five-point lead over Haley Smith (who finished the race in tenth place).
In the men's race, Swenson fought back from an early puncture and dominated once again, finishing his fourth straight Leadville victory in a time of five hours, 49 minutes and eight seconds.
The 30-year-old from Park City signaled his intention from the start, but abandoned an opening four-man move when he had to change a wheel after getting a puncture on Powerline.
Undeterred, Swenson regained contact with the leaders on Columbine and by the time he descended that 12.516-foot climb, he had built up a six-minute lead.
That lead continued to grow as he made his way to Leadville, with the reigning Life Time Grand Prix champion ultimately crossing the finish line with a winning margin of 15 minutes, 42 seconds.
John Gaston, who does not compete in the series, fought bravely to second place, with Cole Paton a minute and 50 seconds further back in third. UNBOUND Gravel winner Lachlan Morton was the third highest finisher of the Life Time Grand Prix, in fourth place.
These results gave Swenson an increase in his lead at the top of the Life Time Grand Prix standings. He is now seven points ahead of Payson McElveen (who finished in 5th place) with 94 points overall.
Reaction from the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik:
Women's winner Melisa Rollins said: “The race started in St Kevin's and I don't know if I've ever made a front group before. I told Sophia [Gomez Villafane], 'Dude, I'm here.' The next decisive part of the race came in the Powerline descent. I ended up taking the lead there, but I didn't want that to be where the gap was, so I sat back and waited for Sophia and Michaela.
“I felt really good at Columbine, so I decided to attack there. Once I did, I was afraid of exploding or cramping, but I was left alone for the rest of the day. I had no idea I had won until I could see the red carpet, and then I just lost control."
Men's winner Keegan Swenson said, “I'm thrilled with that race and winning the race for the fourth time in a row. I paced the first climb up St Kevin's to create a select group, but then got a puncture near the top of Powerline and had to pedal like that to the first supply zone. I quickly changed wheels there and then put my head down and pedaled, eventually meeting John [Gaston] at the foot of Columbine.
“From there, I pedaled at my own pace, and once I broke free, I just tried to increase the gap. I wasn't sure if I could go faster than last year or not, I think I was close to the pace at one point, but then the wind picked up and slowed me down.
“It was a fantastic day and I can't wait to continue the series. I'm happy to have a bit of margin in the standings, because the next races will be more open, tactical and fast."
Kimo Seymour, Life Time Senior Vice President and President Media & Events, said: “We are incredibly proud to see the race celebrate its 30th birthday today and the performances of our riders certainly honored the occasion.
“Melisa [Rollins] and Keegan [Swenson] deserve special praise for their incredible victories in the Life Time Grand Prix, but so too do the legions of amateur cyclists who battled it out on this brutal but beautiful course.
“This year we welcomed participants from 27 countries, with riders aged from 18 to 81, and the unrivaled sense of community is stronger than ever. Finally, I must thank the people of Leadville for once again welcoming us with the warmest of welcomes and allowing us to organize such a special event.
