"Melisa Rollins affirmatively asserts her capabilities and future victories, evident in her Leadville Stage Race victory, aimed at dispelling any lingering doubts following her win at the Leadville 100"
Melisa Rollins, a formidable force in mountain bike endurance racing, has been making waves in the cycling world. Hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah, at an elevation of 4,500 feet above sea level, Rollins has been honing her skills and preparing for the 2025 Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
Rollins' recent performances have been nothing short of impressive. She kicked off the season with a win at the SBT GRVL, followed by victories at the Firecracker 50 and several events in the Leadville Race Series. Her success continued with a podium finish at RADL GRVL, a sixth-place showing at Sea Otter Gravel, and a 14th-place finish at Unbound Gravel 200, despite recovering from a broken wrist.
The highlight of her season so far was her dominant win at the 2025 Life Time Leadville Stage Race, where she clocked an impressive time of 6:28:09, breaking her own 2024 winning time by over 23 minutes. This strong form continued into the main Leadville event, where she finished second with a time of 6:59:16, becoming the third woman ever to complete the race in under seven hours.
Rollins was closely behind winner Kate Courtney, who set a new women's course record. Despite the altitude being a challenge, Rollins expressed confidence in her performance. She acknowledged prior humbling experiences at altitude but felt as strong as possible going into the race.
The Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB is the third stop of the six events on the Life Time Grand Prix calendar this season. Rollins, who won the event presented by Kenetik last year, described her victory as "life-changing". This year, she aims to reclaim her title.
Rollins has also made a name for herself in gravel racing events, competing in SBT GRVL, Firecracker 50, and Unbound Gravel 200. She recently decided to use drop bars for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB, a setup she chose the night before her stage race start.
As the race approaches, Rollins expects the long climb to Columbine Mine to be a decisive mid-point. She is happy with her new setup and finds drop bars "freaking fun".
In the Life Time Grand Prix standings, Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Cecily Decker share the lead, with Rollins tied with Hayley Preen in fourth, one point behind Cecile Lejeune. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Rollins fares in the remaining events and whether she can secure the Grand Prix title.
Sports have been a significant part of Melisa Rollins' life, with her recent achievements in mountain bike endurance racing making headlines. Her impressive victories at events like the SBT GRVL, Firecracker 50, and the 2025 Life Time Leadville Stage Race showcase her sheer dedication and skill in sports.
