Elite Riders Share Their Mindset Ahead of Leadville Trail 100 MTB 2025
With the 2025 Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik just days away on Saturday, August 9th, top Life Time Grand Prix contenders — Cecily Decker, Cameron Jones, Melisa Rollins, and Keegan Swenson — joined Life Time’s Michelle Duffy to share their pre-race thoughts. The event marks the third round of the Life Time Grand Prix Series, set in Leadville, Colorado, on a challenging 100-mile high-altitude course.
Cecily Decker Targets Podium Despite Injury Comeback
After knee surgery in the off-season, Cecily Decker entered 2025 with modest expectations but strong early-season results at Sea Otter and UNBOUND Gravel.
I went into the 2025 season with low expectations as I had knee surgery during the off-season. I’ve had a really good start to the year and approached each race individually which worked really well. I had nothing to lose at Sea Otter and UNBOUND Gravel so I’m trying to keep that mentality going into Leadville.
“Melisa’s ride at the Leadville Stage Race last week was a display of mastery. She rode everyone off her wheel so she’ll be one to follow this weekend. I’ll need a really good day on the bike to podium but I’m looking forward to the challenge.
Cameron Jones Prepares for First Leadville 100 MTB Experience
Rising Life Time Grand Prix talent Cameron Jones will make his Leadville Trail 100 MTB debut.
I’m hoping to stay at the top of the overall leaderboard now that I’m part of the Life Time Grand Prix roster. I’ve never raced Leadville Trail 100 MTB before or any other race like it, so I don’t know what to expect. It will be hard not to be influenced by how everyone will ride the race but this will be a race against myself and I’ll have to ride within my own limits.
I’ve spent the last three weeks at altitude and have been testing my efforts, but as I haven’t raced here before, I feel it will be a bit of a stab in the dark at how hard I can push.
Melisa Rollins Rides High After Leadville Stage Race Win
Fresh off her Leadville Stage Race victory, Melisa Rollins enters the weekend confident but respectful of the altitude challenge.
My confidence is really good heading into Leadville. The altitude here can humble people, and I’ve been humbled here before, but I’m feeling as good as I can be. I give a lot of respect to this race and the field is just getting faster here so I’m excited to be a part of it, especially off the back of winning the Stage Race.
My parents raced at Leadville when I was a kid, which is why when I started racing back in college, this was the first race I did. This will be my mum’s 20th time racing and my dad’s 27th, so we’ll have a big celebration when we all cross the finish line on Saturday!
Keegan Swenson Aims for Fifth Straight Leadville Victory
Four-time defending champion Keegan Swenson returns to Leadville with his sights set on another sub-six-hour performance.
I’ve been dialling in my set-up and reacquainting myself with this altitude over the past few weeks. It’s good to come back and know your place, figure out all your power zones and get comfortable being uncomfortable again.
I don’t feel a whole lot of pressure going into Leadville. I’ve won the race for the last four years, so I feel like I don’t have anything to prove, but I’m always happy to be on the start line and give it everything.
This race gets faster every year as people get more comfortable with altitude and work out what’s best for them. I think there will be a handful of guys capable of going sub-six hours.
Life Time Brings Enhanced Live Coverage to Leadville 100 MTB 2025
Life Time’s Michelle Duffy highlighted the expanded live streaming of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
It takes a lot of logistics to pull off being able to live stream the entirety of the race, but as the Life Time Grand Prix and elite fields have progressed, there has been a big push to share riders’ stories and provide coverage of the racing.
“Building on the momentum of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift as well as the success of the UNBOUND Gravel live stream, we are really excited to be able to offer this to viewers. We’ll also have a big screen set up at Outward Bound this year so fans can feel like they are part of the action.
“We will also have star elite riders joining us this year, including Kate Courtney and Ruth Edwards, fresh off the back of the Tour de France Femmes. The Leadville Trail 100 MTB is such a unique race and with a star-studded roster, we’re in for an electric event.
Life Time Grand Prix athletes will take on the third round of the Series, alongside a host of world-class talent, including 2018 MTB XC World Champion Kate Courtney and 2024 UNBOUND Gravel 200 winner Lachlan Morton. The riders will go head-to-head on the 100-mile course traversing the rocky terrain and amassing 12,480 feet of elevation gain.
The Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB will be easier to follow than ever before, whether in person or tuning in from afar. Live, free-to-view coverage of the entire race will be available to watch on the official Life Time Grand Prix YouTube channel.
Leadville Trail 100 MTB 2025 – The Race Course and Challenge
The Leadville Trail 100 MTB features a 100-mile course with 12,480 feet of elevation gain, testing riders’ endurance, altitude acclimation, and technical skills. This year’s field includes world-class talents such as 2018 MTB XC World Champion Kate Courtney and 2024 UNBOUND Gravel 200 winner Lachlan Morton.
Photos courtesy Life Time Grand Prix
