Forest fires have led to the cancellation of Saturday’s Crusher within the Tushar in Utah, chopping out the climb heavy third spherical of the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix sequence.
The 69.9 mile excessive altitude gravel race was set to host a area crammed with high riders within the self-discipline, from the USA and past, to chase victory on the race and continued the battle for high placings within the Life Time sequence. The removing of the climb heavy race from the sequence has lower the occasion to 6 rounds and consequently organisers have mentioned the ultimate standings will now be calculated on the perfect 4 of the six races, somewhat than the highest 5.
The cancellation of the occasion, gained by Keegan Swenson and Sofía Gómez Villafañe in 2023, was introduced on social media and the race website on Monday night, nevertheless it had been flagged two days earlier that there was concern relating to the fires within the space and that riders ought to keep tuned for updates.
“It’s with a heavy coronary heart that we announce the cancellation of this yr’s Crusher within the Tushar occasion, scheduled for July 13, as a result of ongoing Silver King and Little Twist forest fires within the Piute County space, dwelling to greater than half of the Crusher course, in addition to excessive fireplace danger from record-breaking sizzling and dry temperatures,” mentioned the Monday night Instagram publish from Crusher within the Tushar and LIfe Time Grand Prix.
Organisers of the race which begins in historic downtown Beaver added that there have been quite a lot of concerns that led to the choice, with the protection of the athletes, volunteers, companions and the group, in addition to the right use of emergency providers, the highest precedence.
“We perceive how disappointing this information is, and we recognize your understanding and help throughout this difficult time,” added organisers.
The subsequent cease within the Life Time Grand Prix sequence will now be the Leadville Path 100 MTB, which is able to happen within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado on August 10, stretching out the hole in racing from June 1.
“I am tremendous bummed that the Crusher within the Tushar is cancelled,” Hannah Otto, who’s operating second total within the Life Time Grand Prix Sequence, advised Cyclingnews. “I positively had some redemption scheduled within the Tushar mountains this weekend, however that must wait and as a substitute we have to focus our consideration on caring for that stunning mountain vary and the devastating fires threatening them.”
“By way of the Grand Prix, now eyes shift to my favourite occasion within the sequence: Leadville!”
The latest occasion within the Life Time sequence – the place 60 chosen athletes race in off-road occasions throughout the USA for his or her share of a $300,000 prize purse –was Unbound Gravel and the Fuego XL 100K MTB at Sea Otter Basic having delivered the opener in April. The general leaders after these two rounds are Haley Smith (Trek Driftless) and Keegan Swenson (Santa Cruz).
The removing of Crusher within the Tushar in 2024 evens up the combination of gravel and mountain bike races within the 2024 off-road sequence, with Leadville Path 100 MTB adopted by Chequamegon MTB on September 14 after which two extra gravel races – The Rad Dust Fest on September 28 and the sequence finale of Huge Sugar Gravel on October 19.
