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

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