Liv Racing Collective athlete Melisa Rollins takes the win at the Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival in Wisconsin, USA. Racing her Pique Advanced 29, Rollins covered the 38-mile course in 2:14:05, crossing the line with a four-minute gap ahead of second-place. It marked her sixth time lining up at Chequamegon, an event she calls “a staple in my calendar and one of my favorites each year.”
The course, part of the Life Time Grand Prix Series, featured fast conditions, rolling terrain, forest roads, and the infamous Firetower climb. Rollins' race strategy played out into an unrivaled ride to the finish line. “The decisive moment came after the Birkie rollers, where I launched an attack that turned into a long solo effort,” she said. “I found myself off the front with 10 miles still to go, and I committed fully to the move.”
Despite the uncertainty of riding alone at the front, Rollins stayed focused: “I put my head down and kept driving, not knowing what was happening behind. To my surprise, I was able to hold it all the way to the line and take the women’s win with a gap of 4.5 minutes.”
For Rollins, the result carried personal meaning. “This win means a lot to me, not only because it was my sixth time racing here but also because each year I have taken lessons from this event and carried them forward. Seeing it all come together this year, with such a strong ride, feels really special.”
The win comes on the heels of her record-breaking win at the Life Time Leadville 100 MTB last month. Rollins also credited her setup, saying, “I am grateful to Liv for supporting me with equipment that gives me the confidence to race aggressively and go for big moves like this one.”
