Written by: Shannon Boffeli
Many of the world’s best riders are lining up in Emporia, Kansas, for the Unbound Gravel event – round two of the Life Time Grand Prix.
Saturday’s Unbound course features 200 miles of rolling gravel and dirt roads through the Flint Hills in eastern Kansas. Riders have chosen a wide variety of race set ups to get the most from their bikes in the first gravel race on the Life Time Grand Prix calendar.
We got a sneak peak at what our favorite mountain bike racers will competing on as the Grand Prix turns to gravel including top riders like: Sofia Gomez Villafane, Alexis Skarda, Rose Grant, Keegan Swenson, Russell Finsterwald, Melisa Rollins, Dylan Johnson, and more.
Sofia Gomez Villafane: Specialized Crux – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 2nd
Specs
- Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-ace/XTR/GRX with double chainring
- Cockpit: Aero package
- Tires: Specialized Pathfinder with inserts
Keegan Swenson: Santa Cruz Stigmata – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 1st
Specs
- Drivetrain: SRAM Red 48-tooth single ring & 10-50 SRAM Eagle cassette
- Wheels: Reserve 40/44 with Fillmore valves
- Tires: Maxxis Refuse 40c with inserts – 28 psi front 30 psi rear
- Cockpit: Zipp 40cm Service Course SL bar and stem
- Computer: Garmin Edge 530
- Bike Bags: Zipp Speed Box top tube bag & Almsthre saddle bag
- Extras: 3 tubes, Stan’s NoTubes Dart, 3 Genuine Innovations Plugs – Loaded, 4 CO2s and hand pump
Alexis Skarda: Santa Cruz Stigmata – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 3rd
Specs
- Drivetrain: SRAM Red 44-32t double chainring
- Wheels: Reserve 34/37
- Tires: Maxxis Refuse 40c with Tannus inserts
Stephan Davoust: Giant Revolt – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: DNF at Round 1
Specs
- Drivetrain: Shimano GRX Di2
- Tires: Maxxis Rambler 45c silk shield with Cushcore
- Cockpit: Giant D-Fuse handlebar and seatpost
- Bike Bags: Giant frame bag
Evelyn Dong: Juliana Quincy – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 5th
Specs
- Drivetrain: SRAM XPLR 46-tooth single ring with 10-44 cassette and k-edge chainguide
- Wheels: Reserve Gravel 32
- Tires: Maxxis Refuse with Mynsweeper inserts
Russell Finsterwald: Specialized Crux – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 2nd
Specs
- Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace/GRX 48-tooth single ring with 11-46 cassette
- Tires: Specialized Pathfinder Pro 42c
- Cockpit: Specialized bar with Farr Bars aero package
- Extras: Wireless speaker on stem for tunes to get him through the dark times
Kaysee Armstrong: Liv Devote – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 9th
Specs
- Drivetrain: Shimano GRX/Ultegra double chainring
- Wheels: Giant 35 carbon
- Tires: Maxxis Rambler 40c no inserts
Dylan Johnson: Factor LS – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 13th
Specs
- Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace/GRX double chainring with Quarq power meter
- Wheels: Black Inc
- Tires: Specialized Pathfinder Pro with tubolight inserts
- Cockpit: Black Inc carbon bar/stem combo
- Computer: Wahoo Roam
Rose Grant: Juliana Quincy – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 8th
Specs
- Drivetrain: SRAM Red with 44-tooth single ring 10-46 rear cassette
- Wheels: Reserve 25
- Tires: Maxxis Ramblers 40c with Orange Seal sealant
- Computer: Hammerhead
Melisa Rollins: Felt Breed – Life Time Grand Prix Rank: 11th
Specs
- Drivetrain: SRAM XPLR etap AXS with Quarq power meter
- Wheels: Zipp 303S
- Tires: Kenda Flintridge 40c
- Computer: Wahoo Roam
