High Elevation Hammer Fest

SCOTT Team Takes on Leadville 100 

The Scott Squad headed high into the Rocky Mountains to take on the Leadville 100.
The team rolled into the small town perched at 10,000 feet, ready to face this legendary test of endurance. Leadville not only draws the world’s best professional cyclists and the most ambitious amateur riders, it’s also a key stop in the Life Time Grand Prix.

For the mountain bike contingent of the Grand Prix, this is the first major challenge after tackling the Unbound 200 and Sea Otter Gravel. But Leadville is no ordinary MTB race; this beast of the Rockies takes riders over a relentless 103-mile course, topping out at 12,600 feet before bombing back into downtown Leadville for a raucous finish.

Cameron Jones: The Rookie

After his Unbound 200 victory, which secured his spot in the Life Time Grand Prix, Cam was ready to trade his Addict Gravel RC for the Scale RC and take on this unique high-elevation challenge. His day started early with 3:00 a.m. pancakes and a 6:00 a.m. start.

The race rolled out fast from Leadville into the first climb. Cam matched the pace of the pure climbers over the top, but with the morning sun in his eyes, he washed out his front wheel on a deep, dusty corner at the bottom of the Powerline descent.

Regrouping, Cam went low in his aero position and hammered through the flats, catching the large chase group and finding a moment to recover before the biggest climb of the day—Columbine. He kept the front of the race in sight as he crested Columbine and dropped into the fastest descent of the day. Flying at over 45 mph, his rear wheel caught a rock, forcing him into the tech station with just a few PSI left. The SCOTT Team swapped his tire, topped off his bottles, and got him rolling again in under a minute.

Back on course, Cam was left to chase solo through the flats, putting his TT skills to the test. After many miles alone, he reeled in several riders in the final stretch and led out a three-man sprint, securing 12th place with a bike throw at the line.

His finish placed him 9th among Grand Prix racers and 4th in the Series standings. With three races left, Cam remains within striking distance of the top step. The day may not have gone perfectly, but the experience gained points toward a future Leadville podium.

Hannah Otto: Building Momentum

Fresh off her Marathon National Championship win, Hannah came into Leadville ready to push the pace at the front. Riding her custom Stars and Stripes Scale RC, she surged off the line as the sun peeked over the mountains behind the start. Having won this race in 2022, she knew exactly what it would take to reach the top step again.

Hannah stuck to her plan through the opening climb and into the Powerline descent, expertly navigating its high-speed, rocky chaos. On the flats, she joined a main chase group working to reel in a lone rider up the road. Pacing herself into Columbine, Hannah powered through the steepest, most technical sections, riding while others walked.

Turning back toward Leadville, she dug deep into the pain cave, ramping up her power and passing riders who had burned their matches too early. In the final 50 miles, she increased her pace, eventually crossing the line in 6th place overall and 5th among Grand Prix racers. With a mountain biking background, Hannah is primed for the knobby-tire-heavy back half of the Series.

Ryan Standish: Leadville Redemption

Ryan arrived from Durango, Colorado, for his fourth go at this brutal course. Experience doesn’t make Leadville any easier, and last year’s injury-forced retirement gave him extra motivation to finish strong.

This year, Ryan opted for a full-suspension Spark RC, trading some climbing weight for 120mm of travel front and rear. The payoff came on the descents, where he passed riders with ease, and on the washboarded flats, where he kept the power rolling.

After pulling wheelies through the feed zones, Ryan cruised into Leadville with enough energy for high-fives to the fans lining the streets. He came to prove a point and check the Leadville box once again. We’re already looking forward to seeing him return next year—and to whatever adventures he tackles in the meantime.

Here’s to everyone who took on Leadville, conquering thin air, loose descents, and every unforgiving mile of the high country.

Thanks to Ri Ganey & Christopher Stricklen for capturing these moments on film:
Ri Ganey @ri_ganey
Christopher Stricklen @creedub

RELATED PRODUCTS:

SCOTT Scale 965

SCOTT Spark RC Team

SCOTT Spark 950