Holcomb and Hoppin Claim Life Time Grand Prix U23 Titles,Poised for Elite Competition
BETHLEHEM,PA - October 20,2024 – Ruth Holcomb and Griffin Hoppin have secured the U23 titles in the 2024 Life Time Grand Prix,marking a notable step in their burgeoning gravel racing careers. Holcomb, riding for Santa Cruz htSQD, clinched the overall U23 series win despite a DNF at the Big Sugar race, having already secured enough points to claim the title by simply starting the event. Hoppin similarly earned his U23 championship.
The pair’s success signals a rising tide of young talent in the Life time Grand Prix, and both athletes are now set to transition to the elite competition level next year, including tackling the challenging Unbound Gravel 200 and becoming eligible for the series’ significantly increased prize purse.
Holcomb, a Durango, Colorado native, celebrated her victory at the Big Sugar after-party. “I’m pretty good on a mountain bike, and I’m on good form right now. I’ve had a good series,” she told Cyclingnews. “Honestly, I was top three in the U23, which I knew was doable, and then had a really good race [at Little Sugar] and ended up winning [the overall] here.” She expressed excitement about the possibility the series win provides. “It’s super cool…it’s really nice to have that confirmed for the next year. So it’s gonna be super awesome.”
Holcomb’s gravel debut came at the BMC Rock Cobbler in California in February, where she promptly demonstrated her potential with a win in the 73-mile race featuring 9,200 feet of climbing. She then transitioned to the Grand Prix circuit in may.Her background includes experience in both road and mountain bike racing, having spent two seasons with the Virginia’s Blue Ridge-TWENTY24 program. “Today [at Big Sugar] was almost like a road race. So it’s definitely been super helpful to know how the road tactics were,” she noted.
The 2024 season marked a turning point for Holcomb, who had considered leaving the sport entirely last winter before joining the htSQD team. “At this time last year I had decided I was done bike racing for good until I got the opportunity to give endurance racing a go with the htSQD. I really don’t think I could’ve ever imagined how great this opportunity would be for me.” She credited her teammates – Keegan Swenson,Tobin Ortenblad,and Alexis Skarda – for their support and guidance.”I really have the best team ever…They’re proud of me, and have really supported me. So I’m really happy with how the year has gone and how my team has been.”
Looking ahead, Holcomb and Hoppin will compete in the elite field, where the Life Time Grand Prix will offer a total prize purse of $590,000 in 2026. The top 10 elite finishers will share $350,000, with individual event prize money ranging from $30,000 to $60,000.
