Biker Brennan Wertz triumphs in the SBT GRVL competition while sporting the National Champion colors, and Melisa Rollins gains another high-altitude victory in her racing record.
In the picturesque town of Hayden, west of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the 2025 SBT GRVL event took place under new circumstances. The marquee event on the pro gravel racing calendar underwent significant changes due to backlash from local residents and politicians, particularly law enforcement [1][2][3].
This year, the event was split into two days instead of a single mass start. The first day featured a non-competitive ride, akin to a Gran Fondo, with the traditional Green, Red, and Blue courses. The second day, however, was the highlight, hosting a professional gravel race with a separate start for elite women.
The women's race saw an early attack from Cecily Decker and Emily Newsom of Pas Racing. Newsom, in particular, showed her aggressive spirit by attacking around mile 30, opening a 15-second gap on a chase group. However, her efforts were not enough to hold off the chasing pack, and she was eventually brought back by mile 40. Lange took up the pace at the front of the group from then on.
A break of six men, including previous SBT winner Keegan Swenson (Santa Cruz - HTSQD), Pete Stetina (Canyon), Brennan Wertz, Cobe Freeburn (MAAP), Alexey Vermeulen (ENVE), and Torbjørn Røed (Trek Bikes-MAAP), formed early in the men's race. The group was whittled down to five when Rød dropped off 55 miles into the race.
Meanwhile, in the women's race, the chase group included Melisa Rollins (Liv Racing Collective), Sarah Lange (Pivot Cycles-Velocio), Paige Onweller (Trek Driftless), Lauren De Crescenzo (Factor racing Wahoo), and Karolina Migon (PAS Racing). As last year's Leadville 100 winner, Rollins went on the attack and dropped Grant from the group.
The race reached a critical point at mile 65, with representation from De Crescenzo, Rollins, Onweller, Lange, Haley Smith (Trek Driftless), Emma Grant (Ventum), and Lauren Stephens (Aegis Cycling Foundation) forming the lead group. Onweller and Smith dropped off during the third lap, leaving Rollins, De Crescenzo, Stephens, and Lange as the four leaders.
Alexey Vermeulen attacked the lead group on the third lap, causing a series of cat and mouse dynamics among the five leaders. However, it was Rollins who had the strongest kick at the end, winning the women's SBT GRVL race ahead of Lauren De Crescenzo by 2 seconds.
In the men's race, Alex Howes (Velocio-Cannondale) was an aggressor but was brought back twice. The race's turning point came when U.S. national gravel champion Brennan Wertz (SCOTT Sport) launched the race-winning move while wearing his stars and stripes jersey. He finished seven seconds ahead of Swenson and Freeburn.
The changes implemented for the 2025 SBT GRVL event ensured that the event could continue while respecting community needs and permits required from local authorities. The date change to late June avoided conflicts with the Routt County Fair and hay season, crucial events for local ranchers. The format adjustment allowed SBT GRVL to continue hosting top pros and maintain a large field while addressing local concerns about safety and road usage.
References: [1]
The professional gravel race section of the 2025 SBT GRVL event, initially a single mass start, was split into two days to accommodate community concerns and local regulations.
During the women's race, Pas Racing teammates Cecily Decker and Emily Newsom showed their racing spirit by attacking early, with Newsom attempting an aggressive move around mile 30 in the race.
