The Countdown Is On To Crusher In The Tushar
The Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda returns for the third race of the series on Saturday, July 13th with the Life Time Crusher in the Tushar
This noted event in Beaver, Utah, is arguably the toughest 69.9-mile race on the planet and is the only gravel contest in the world to feature a true mountain-top finish, sitting 10,268 feet (3,130 meters) above sea level at the Eagle Point Ski Resort.
Founded by legendary pro cyclist Burke Swindlehurst in 2011, Crusher in the Tushar amasses over 10,000 feet of climbing as the riders traverse the Tushar Mountains and Fishlake National Fores.
Both the men’s and women’s competitions are tantalisingly poised heading into the race with 2022 Crusher in the Tushar winner Haley Smith the new leader of the women’s competition on account of her being the highest-placed Life Time Grand Prix finisher at UNBOUND Gravel 200 (in fourth position). Sofia Gomez Villafane, who finished 15th at UNBOUND, sits just four points behind her in the overall standings and will be aiming to narrow the lead in Utah after her dominant display last year.
In the men’s competition, Keegan Swenson leads Payson McElveen by a single point and his confidence will be high given he’s won the two most recent editions of this race. Matthew Beers sits just two points further behind in third with Lachlan Morton up fourth position after his incredible success at UNBOUND. To view the current leaderboards click here.
As always at Crusher in the Tushar, both the elite men’s and women’s races have separate starts, although the timings have been adjusted this year to create additional separation between the two fields. The elite men will start at 6:40am with the women commencing at 6:45am, 15 minutes before the first amateur group gets going.
Provisional start lists for both the elite men’s and women’s races can be found here.
You can watch extended highlights from the opening two rounds of the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix, and recaps of the last two editions of Crusher in the Tushar, on our official YouTube channel.
Kimo Seymour, Life Time President Media & Events, said: “I don’t think there’s another bike race in North America that features more suffering on a mile-per-mile basis than Crusher in the Tushar, and that always makes for a thrilling and awe-inspiring watch.
“The Life Time Grand Prix is really taking shape as a whole host of interesting stories are coming to life. For the first time since the start of the 2023 season we have a new female leader in Haley Smith, and the top three men are split by just three points.
“Crusher is one for the climbing specialists who can handle high altitudes, and we’re super excited to see how the race will play out.”
Get Involved
As always, it is not just the pros who will be tackling the course, over 800 amateurs will also get the chance to test themselves against the world’s best riders, with single speed and tandem categories also taking part. Click to register here.
Life Time has partnered with a climate advocacy non-profit organization called Protect Our Winters and will be hosting a panel with Life Time Grand Prix riders Peter Stetina, Sarah Sturm, Payson McElveen and Anna Gibson at the Expo at 2pm on Friday, July 12th.
This year Life Time has also partnered with the Ride or Die Collective on a series of group rides and seminars intended to pave the way for women to take on the Crusher. Ride or Die will be fielding a full team of women taking on this year’s event, including Life Time Grand Prix athlete Emily Newsom, and hosting a panel at 4pm on Friday, July 12th.
Crusher in the Tushar is the third of seven iconic MTB and gravel events across the US which make up the Life Time Grand Prix. Sixty of the world’s best off-road endurance cyclists (30 men and 30 women) have been selected to battle it out for a record $300,000 prize purse, which will be split equally among the male and female athletes.
The remaining 2024 Life Time Grand Prix events are as follows:
August 10 - 100 Mile MTB at Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik
Starting at 10,152 feet and amassing approximately 12,000 feet of elevation over 100 gueling miles, the Race across the Sky is the ultimate test of grit, guts and determination, making it one of the most prestigious cross-country MTB events in the world. Click to find out more here.
September 14 – 40 Mile MTB at Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival presented by Trek
This spectacular MTB race takes athletes on a rollercoaster ride across the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail, with back-to-back climbs and a multitude of surfaces, serving up a real war of attrition before the winner is crowned at the Great Hall in Cable. Click to find out more here.
September 28 – 110 Mile Gravel at Life Time The Rad Dirt Fest
This out-and-back trek takes in the towering Spanish Peaks and expansive mesas for which Southern Colorado is famous - complete with 10,613 feet of climbing and a host of uniquely challenging terrain along the way. Click to find out more here.
October 19 – 100 Mile Gravel at Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Mazda
100 miles of gloriously chunky gravel and 7,000 feet of remote, rugged and spectacular climbing across the Ozark Mountains awaits the riders before the curtain falls on the 2024 series in Bentonville. Click to find out more here.
