Liv Racing Collective athlete Melisa Rollins races to victory in the elite women's field at the SBT GRVL in Hayden, Colorado, on Sunday, winning the grueling 117-mile Black course on her Devote Advanced Pro, with a time of 05:36:55.
Rollins attacked in the final moments after a high-paced, tactical race, sprinting across the finish line just two seconds ahead of last year's winner. She was all smiles as she claimed her first win at this event. In addition to the new course layout, this year marked the first separate start for elite women instead of a mass start alongside men — a positive step forward for women in gravel racing.
"I was on my Liv Devote, which felt dialed all day. By the final lap, our lead group had thinned to just four riders. I made my move with about four kilometers to go on a steep kicker just before the finish run-in. I got a gap, but Lauren De Crescenzo closed it down with just over one kilometer to go. From there, it was an all-out drag race to the line, and I managed to pull off the win in the sprint," said Rollins after the race.
The race covered over 8,000 feet of climbing across three laps through northern Colorado's Routt County, with dry, dusty roads and shifting wind conditions playing a role in the day's tactics. "I'm stoked to take the win at the first-ever women's-only SBT GRVL race. The brand new circuit course in Hayden was super fast with smooth, packed dirt and perfect conditions for a race of attrition," continued Rollins. "This one feels huge. Big thanks to Liv for the support and to all of my sponsors who help make days like this possible."
Rollins's win builds on an already impressive season. Stay tuned for more racing action!
