Photo Gallery: 2016 Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race

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.

: A mandatory riders meeting the day before the Leadville Trail 100 is a motivational and uplifting affair. Photo: Gruber Images

: A 6:30 a.m. start makes for a brisk morning. Riders began lining up long before the sun rose. Photo: Gruber Images

: Todd Wells (SRAM-Troy Lee Designs) donned the stars and stripes as U.S. national marathon champion. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: 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

: Cannondale-Drapac pro Alex Howes (second from left) wore a flannel jacket in the morning to keep warm. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: 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

: The morning sun warmed the riders on the first climb of the day. Photo: Gruber Images

: The views along the Leadville 100 course are breathtaking for those who are able to enjoy them. Photo: Gruber Images

: 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

: For those not racing, the Twin Lakes feed zone is a serene place before the riders arrive. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: Columbine is a tricky descent with two-way traffic making it stressful for those racing to win. Photo: Gruber Images

: Traditional road tactics, and pack riding, play a role at the Leadville 100. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: 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

: The scene at the Twin Lakes feed zone. Photo: Gruber Images

: Wells was greeted by his wife Meg as he crossed the line to claim his third Leadville 100 title. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: Sometimes the Leadville 100 can be quite lonely, despite the thousands of entrants. Photo: Gruber Images

: 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

: Dombrowski’s second-place performance was impressive considering his road career, and this being his Leadville debut. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: Jeremiah Bishop claimed the final step on the podium, finishing in 6:28:46. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: Sally Bigham (Topeak-Ergon) crushed the women’s field to take the win, her third at Leadville. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: 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

: The Cannondale-Drapac duo of Howes and Dombrowski. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: Men’s podium (left to right): Dombrowski, Wells, and Bishop. Photo: Kevin Scott Batchelor

: 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

Legstrong

So was LT Dam able to start the race on time? From his tweets, they sounded like he started just fine. This event is in my bucket list. Looks fun and painful.
- H.E. Pennypacker
  
  To paraphrase a close friend of mine who has given birth: “Natural childbirth is painful. Leadville is something else entirely.”
- Neal Rogers
  
  I believe LTD was able to start on time, just barely
- Neal Rogers
  
  I believe LTD was able to start on time, just barely
Lynden Blackley

I raced Leadville in 2011. An amazing event in the craziest location. Traveling from Melbourne to racing at over 10000ft of Altitude is something else. I can’t wait to do it again
Hamish Moffatt

Nose clips are the new doping it appears.
Boogieman

Thank you for sharing these amazing photos. Just brings back awesome memories….life changing race for me (coming from Florida…). Congrats to all who lined up to start and major kudos to my buckled brethren.
P3N54

The clip-on aero bars on Wells’ bike make me sad.
Huw

Gruber(s) and Kevin Scott Batchelor killing it behind the lens as usual…

Photo Gallery: 2016 Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race

Leadville to Columbine to Leadville :: 100 miles (160km)

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