Melisa Rollins claims her first-ever Life Time Grand Prix victory while Keegan Swenson triumphs for the fourth time in a row
LEADVILLE, Colorado (August 10, 2024) — Melisa Rollins and Keegan Swenson both produced incredible performances to win the 30th anniversary of the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
Salt Lake City’s Rollins claimed her first-ever Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda triumph by working her way into an early lead group, and after initially attacking on the descent of Powerline, made the move that counted by forging clear of Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Michaela Thompson on the Columbine climb.
That was the last Villafañe and Thompson saw of the 28-year-old as she gradually increased her lead on the return trip to Leadville, eventually stopping the clock with a winning time of seven hours, 10 minutes and 10 seconds.
After the race, women’s winner Rollins said “The race first lit up on St. Kevin’s and I don’t know if I have ever made a lead group before. I said to Sophia [Gomez Villafañe], ‘Dude I’m here’. The next decisive part of the race came on the descent of Powerline. I ended up taking the lead there but didn’t want that to be where the gap was made, so I sat up and waited for Sophia and Michaela.
Rollins wept for joy as the magnitude of her victory sunk in, and that result completed a remarkable double for her after she also triumphed at the Life Time Leadville Stage Race last month.
“I was feeling really good on Columbine so I decided to attack there instead. Once I’d done so, I was afraid of blowing up, or cramping, but I was alone the rest of the day. I had no idea I’d won until I could see the red carpet, and then I just lost it.”
Villafañe meanwhile, wrapped up second place by crossing the line three minutes and 53 seconds behind Rollins, with Thompson taking a hard-fought third position, 22 seconds further adrift.
The results mean Villafañe returns to the top of the overall standings, where she now holds a five-point lead over Haley Smith (who finished the race in 10th position).
In the men’s race, Swenson battled back from an early puncture to dominate once again, wrapping up 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 intent from the off, but dropped out of an early four-man move when he required a wheel change after flatting on Powerline.
Undeterred, Swenson quickly regained contact with the leaders on Columbine, and by the time he’d descended off that 12,600-foot summit, he’d built up a six-minute advantage.
Swenson’s lead continued to grow as he powered his way back into Leadville, with the reigning Life Time Grand Prix champion ultimately crossing the line with a 15 minute and 42-second winning margin.
After the finish, Swenson said, “I’m stoked with that ride, and to win the race for the fourth time in a row. I set the pace on the first climb up St. Kevin’s to create a select group but then I flatted near the top of Powerline and had to ride like that until the first feed zone. I got a quick wheel change there and then got my head down and rode, eventually making contact with John [Gaston] at the foot of Columbine.”
Swenson continued, “From there, I rode at my own pace, and once I’d gone clear just tried to extend the gap. I wasn’t sure if I was able to 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 that slowed me down.
John Gaston, who is not competing in the series, battled bravely to second place, with Cole Paton one minute and 50 seconds further back in third. UNBOUND Gravel winner Lachlan Morton was the third-best Life Time Grand Prix finisher in fourth position.
Those results ensured Swenson increased his lead at the top of the Life Time Grand Prix standings. He now sits seven points ahead of Payson McElveen (who finished in 5th place) on 94 points overall.
“It was an awesome day out and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I’m glad I’ve got a bit of a cushion on the leaderboard as the next races will be more open, tactical, and faster,” concluded Swenson.
Life Time’s Kimo Seymour said “We’re incredibly proud to see the race celebrate its 30th birthday today, and our riders’ performances 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 riders that battled their way around this brutal yet beautiful course.
