The Leadville Trail 100 is a race for the professionals who take the start, but for everyone else it is a battle. It’s either a battle to finish within a certain time, or to merely finish within the 12-hour cutoff. Completing the grueling course is an accomplishment and no matter the time or the placing, a celebration is in order.
This year the professional men’s field saw a stacked start list full of roadies. Todd Wells (SRAM-Troy Lee Designs) didn’t blink an eye and emphatically took his third Leadville victory. Joe Dombrowski (Cannondale-Drapac), who flew to the Vuelta a España the day after the race, finished second in his first attempt. Jeremiah Bishop (Topeak-Ergon) finish third.
Sally Bigham (Topeak-Ergon) crushed the course and took her third Leadville 100 victory, and was quick enough to finish 14th overall.
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- A mandatory riders meeting the day before the Leadville Trail 100 is a motivational and uplifting affair. Photo: Gruber Images
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- A 6:30 a.m. start makes for a brisk morning. Riders began lining up long before the sun rose. Photo: Gruber Images
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- Todd Wells (SRAM-Troy Lee Designs) donned the stars and stripes as U.S. national marathon champion. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Laurens Ten Dam (Giant-Alpecin) was less than thrilled to have a puncture minutes before the shotgun was fired to signal the start. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Cannondale-Drapac pro Alex Howes (second from left) wore a flannel jacket in the morning to keep warm. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Fresh off winning the Tour of Utah, Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly-Maxxis) was smiling and flying under-the-radar at the start, but would have a less than stellar day with multiple punctures and a torn sidewall, forcing him to abandon. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- The morning sun warmed the riders on the first climb of the day. Photo: Gruber Images
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- The views along the Leadville 100 course are breathtaking for those who are able to enjoy them. Photo: Gruber Images
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- While Wells, Dombrowski, and Jeremiah Bishop (Topeak-Ergon) led at the first pass through Twin Lakes, a chase group with many roadies had formed behind. The chase group would shatter on the climb. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- For those not racing, the Twin Lakes feed zone is a serene place before the riders arrive. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Columbine is a tricky descent with two-way traffic making it stressful for those racing to win. Photo: Gruber Images
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- Traditional road tactics, and pack riding, play a role at the Leadville 100. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Dombrowski took a feed before the fearsome Powerline climb. The three leaders would not be together after the Powerline climb and Wells would make the decisive attack on the descent. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- The scene at the Twin Lakes feed zone. Photo: Gruber Images
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- Wells was greeted by his wife Meg as he crossed the line to claim his third Leadville 100 title. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Sometimes the Leadville 100 can be quite lonely, despite the thousands of entrants. Photo: Gruber Images
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- Wells won the 2016 title in a time of 6:19:43. The course record, set by Alban Lakata in 2015, is 5:58:35. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Dombrowski’s second-place performance was impressive considering his road career, and this being his Leadville debut. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Jeremiah Bishop claimed the final step on the podium, finishing in 6:28:46. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Sally Bigham (Topeak-Ergon) crushed the women’s field to take the win, her third at Leadville. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Ted King won the 200-mile gravel grinder, Dirty Kanza, in June with a time of nearly 12 hours. After Leadville he revealed he suffered just as much despite a time of just over seven hours. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- The Cannondale-Drapac duo of Howes and Dombrowski. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- Men’s podium (left to right): Dombrowski, Wells, and Bishop. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor
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- For amateurs, the Leadville 100 is a challenge; finishing within the 12-hour time cut is cause for celebration no matter the placing. Photo: Gruber Images