Michael Woods, racing in his first Leadville 100 (and first mountain bike race)<\/a> lead the Canadian effort in Colorado.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Women\u2019s Leadville 100: Rollins rolls away with the win<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race, U.S. XC Marathon national champion Melissa Rollins (Liv Racing) rolled away with the win, but it was far from uncontested.<\/p>\n Cecily Decker and Sarah Lange were the early protagonists, taking off in the opening miles of the 101.3 mile course and quickly building a minute advantage. That partnership lasted until somewhere between Powerline and the start of the Columbine climb, when Decker took off solo. She held a one-minute advange to Lange with Rollins and Laren Stephens chasing around 2:40 back.<\/p>\n Somewhere in there, Rollins bridged up to join with Decker. The XCM national champ then went solo, finnishing over three and a half minutes ahead of second place.<\/p>\n Decker\u2019s aggressive racing was rewarded with second place while Lauren Stephens rounds out the podium in third.<\/p>\n With Life Time and Leadville regular Haley Smith busy with school obligations, there were no Canadians near the front of the women\u2019s field.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Men\u2019s Leadville: 100 A much hyped showdown, an unexpected sprint finish<\/p>\n Quinn Simmons, a late announcement who quickly picked up hype as a potential wildcard to upend Swenson\u2019s dominance. Having finished second in his first appearance and now having the experience of a WorldTour pro hot off a strong showing at the Tour de France, the LIDL-Trek racer was touted as a potential winner. Simmons ended up rolling across the line in ninth, at 5:29:16. That shows just how far the endurance scene in North America has progressed in the last few years.<\/p>\n Instead, it was an ascendant Matt Wilson (Scott\/Shimano) who pushed Swenson to a sprint finish in Colorado. Both riders finished in 5:20:26, but Swenson was able to gain position going into the final finish straight, sitting on Wilson\u2019s wheel until launching his sprint within throwing distance of the finish line.<\/p>\n Michael Woods is racing Leadville 100 on a 32\u2033 prototype (then\u2026 worlds)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Wilson, from New Zealand continues to impress, steadily moving up the results sheet over the last couple of years. He once finished second at BC Bike Race<\/a>, too. He gained more notoriety recently for winning the Tusla Tough pro criterium on his Scott gravel bike. Pushing Swenson to a sprint is something only a handful of riders have managed over the last few years. It won\u2019t be long until we sweet Wilson taking the top step at a major gravel event.<\/p>\n Bradyn Lange (Canyon\/DT Swiss) rounds out the podium, taking third ahead of John Gaston (Strafe-Specialized), the other two riders who survived in the lead group with Swenson and Wilson.<\/p>\n
![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/MWLeadville-08132026-0004.jpg\")
<\/a>Michael Woods training on Ventum\u2019s prototype 32\u2033 cross country bike ahead of Leadville 100.