Riley Amos of Durango secured a podium finish at the Big Sugar Gravel event on October 18, 2025, marking a significant achievement in his first year competing in the men’s elite cross-country field within the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. This event, held in Bentonville, Arkansas, is part of the prestigious Life Time Grand Prix series and served as the final race of the 2025 season.
The race faced unexpected challenges as inclement weather led to a reduction in distance from the usual 100 miles to 50 miles, potentially benefiting Amos. The shorter race format aligned more closely with the time he is accustomed to in World Cup competitions. Amos demonstrated his strength by breaking away with the leading trio early in the race but ultimately finished third, crossing the line in a time of two hours, 16 minutes, and 38 seconds. The race was won by Matthew Beers, who clocked in at 2:12:55, with Griffin Easter following in second at 2:16:36.
Reflecting on his experience, Amos shared on Instagram, “Hell of a week to finish off the season. I was seriously regretting my decision to race Big Sugar Classic waking up Saturday morning but I was quite literally jumping with joy when they reduced it to a 50-mile race.” He noted that a missed opportunity to replenish carbohydrates at the only aid station contributed to his eventual drop from the lead group around mile 38.
In the women’s elite race, Michaela Thompson also showcased her skills, finishing sixth after previously placing fifth in the elite women’s Little Sugar MTB race on October 12. Thompson, who initially struggled to maintain a position in the top ten, surged in the latter part of the race, narrowly missing a spot on the podium with a time of 2:36:37. She expressed her pride in her performance on social media, stating, “I’m proud of you. I’ve shared a bit on how this year has been, how hard and unknown it’s felt. The thought that has been stuck in the back of my mind this whole year is, am I cut out for this?”
Thompson’s strong finish capped off a challenging season where she placed 13th in the Life Time Grand Prix women’s standings, a drop from her top ten finish in 2024. The race was won by former Fort Lewis College cyclist Sofia Gomez Villafane, who completed the course in 2:36:23, followed closely by Lauren Stephens and Stella Hobbs.
Durango’s Sarah Sturm finished just behind Thompson in seventh place with a time of 2:36:38. Although Sturm is not currently part of the Life Time Grand Prix, she was eager to participate in the Big Sugar race after missing out on gravel nationals due to illness. “I was really motivated for the win, but I was not as strong as the winner,” she admitted, acknowledging the challenges posed by the weather and the shortened distance.
Several other local athletes also competed, including Cole Paton, who finished 10th in the men’s race with a time of 2:17:03, and Maude Farrell, who placed 14th among the women in 2:37:09. Farrell expressed her disappointment over the result but acknowledged the competitiveness of the race, noting the narrow margin between the top finishers.
The 2026 Life Time Grand Prix is set to feature a significant increase in prize money, with a total of $50,000 awarded to each series winner. Additionally, a professional finisher compensation of $2,500 will be available for members who finish outside the top ten standings. Sturm highlighted this increase as appealing but mentioned uncertainties regarding her participation, particularly as the gravel world championships will coincide with the Big Sugar race next year.
With the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix kicking off on April 16, 2026, at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, many athletes are looking forward to the upcoming season and the opportunities it will present.
