The penultimate North American round of the 2026 Gravelking UCI Gravel World Series delivered another demanding day of racing in the high mountains of California, with riders facing the rugged 89-mile Mammoth TUFF course at altitude.
In the men’s elite race, Cole Davis produced a great performance to claim victory in 4:27:35, averaging exactly 20 mph over the challenging gravel terrain. Davis rode a measured race throughout the day and ultimately crossed the finish line with a comfortable advantage over his nearest rivals.
Ben Byra secured second place, finishing 3:01 behind the winner, while Lance Haidet completed the podium in third at 7:02.
The women’s elite competition saw an equally impressive ride from Laurel Quinones, who mastered the altitude and relentless climbing to take victory in 5:17:31, averaging 16.8 mph over the full distance.
Quinones built a decisive advantage during the race and eventually crossed the line 6:37 ahead of defending champion Jennifer Tave, who returned to Mammoth Lakes after her dominant victory here in 2025. Tave once again showed her class on the demanding terrain, but was unable to match the pace of Quinones on this occasion.
The battle for the final podium position went to Kira Stock, who completed the course in third place, 23 minutes behind the winner.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Mammoth TUFF once again lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest gravel events on the calendar. The combination of high altitude, long climbing sections and rough gravel roads provided a true test for competitors seeking valuable UCI Gravel World Series qualification points.
