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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/EB3528D1-4435-4FA3-BDA0-E16085E4D70C_1_201_a-1000x699.jpeg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/E6343E43-E9E4-42E9-90CA-283AC50A592C_1_201_a-1000x742.jpeg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_2332-copy-edited-scaled.jpg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/9F4E6BB9-BC4E-4FA7-92EF-44965CFBE24A-2-1000x599.jpg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/D016D47F-8B3E-4351-9416-1C9D3E45365A-1000x583.jpg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sd-1-edited.jpg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sd3-1000x750.jpg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sd6-600x800.jpg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/sd5-1000x750.jpg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/86A7E4AD-85C5-4B99-B221-2A539B7D2645.jpg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/russ4-edited-scaled.jpg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/russ3-edited-scaled.jpg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/russ2-1000x750.jpg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/67591432772__44D0310F-8BF2-485B-B0CB-8D3FF0514AF2-edited-scaled.jpg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/67591434963__9EE868F2-2ADD-4B33-B5E0-5F603C3D1B5C-1000x750.jpg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/67591439466__E3B2382F-A764-4CD4-92DD-1692D1D81D34-600x800.jpg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image5.jpeg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image2.jpeg)
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image4.jpeg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image0-edited.jpeg)
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
![](https://www.mtbracenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/melisa-902x800.jpg)
Specs
- Drivetrain: SRAM XPLR etap AXS with Quarq power meter
- Wheels: Zipp 303S
- Tires: Kenda Flintridge 40c
- Computer: Wahoo Roam