Bentonville, Arkansas, is about to become the center of the gravel universe. The Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik rolls out this Saturday, October 18th, and for the first time ever, fans can watch it all live. But it’s not all dust and chunk this time around; the weather forecast is looking wet for race day.
With the overall still up for grabs in the men’s field and second place for the women’s (Sofía Gómez Villafañe wrapped up the series overall last race), the riders will be leaving it all out there. Building up to what will be a heck of a finish for the Life Time Series.
The Final Countdown – Big Sugar 2025
The race marks the final showdown of the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix, capping off what’s been the tightest season in series history. On the men’s side, Keegan Swenson holds a razor-thin lead with 98 points, just one ahead of both Simon Pellaud and Cameron Jones, while Torbjørn Andre Røed sits one point behind that pair. That’s four riders separated by just two points heading into the finale — a setup that promises drama from mile one.
Jones, who started the year as a Wild Card, has been the surprise story of the season. His back-to-back wins at UNBOUND Gravel and last weekend’s Little Sugar MTB have made him a legitimate threat for the title. But Swenson, the reigning three-time champion, knows how to survive chaos — punctures, pressure, and all.
“It became a day of survival,” Swenson said after Little Sugar. “I just had to stay ahead of Simon and Torbjørn. Now it’s all about recovery before Saturday.”
The Women’s Battle: Villafañe’s to Lose, but a Fight Behind
Over in the women’s field, Sofía Gómez Villafañe only needs to roll off the line to lock down her third consecutive overall title, but the battle behind her is anything but settled. Cecily Decker and Melisa Rollins are separated by just two points in the fight for second, while the race for the top five remains wide open.
Decker, returning from a back injury, says she’s ready for Bentonville: “I’m not feeling pressure heading into Big Sugar — I just want a good race to close the season.”
Rollins, who’s battled crashes and injury this year, is equally determined: “To get third last weekend is one of my proudest results. I’ll be doing everything I can to end the season on a high.”
The Updated 2025 Course
The Big Sugar course is always a test, but this year’s updated 99.6-mile route adds even more bite. Riders will face 827 additional feet of climbing and a new aid station at Rockford Grange (mile 74) — complete with a custom-cut trail through a former Olympic training facility.
Shorter than last year by 5.6 miles but packed with rougher terrain, this edition of Big Sugar promises relentless “Ozark chunky” gravel, off-camber descents, and steep, remote climbs — the kind of course that rewards toughness and punishes hesitation.
The course can already be previewed virtually on ROUVY, the event’s official virtual cycling partner.
The Field
This year’s lineup is stacked. Alongside the Grand Prix contenders, elite names like Lauren Stephens, Sarah Sturm, Gwen Gibson, and Madigan Monroe are lining up in the women’s field. On the men’s side, Lachlan Morton, Mattia De Marchi, and Riley Amos are expected to animate the front group from the gun.
Live Coverage — A First for Big Sugar
For the first time, fans can catch live coverage of the entire race on the Life Time Grand Prix YouTube channel and Life Time app, starting at 7:10 am CDT. The stream, presented by Orange Seal, will include both elite men’s and women’s races, post-race interviews, and finish-line footage running through the 12-hour mark — so every rider, pro or amateur, gets their moment at the line.
There will also be live GPS tracking via Enabled Adventure, timing splits from Athlinks, and on-course video updates across the official Big Sugar and Life Time Grand Prix Instagram pages.
Big Sugar Weather Update:
As mentioned, it could be a wet race. For those not toeing the line in the pro races, Big Sugar has posted the following weather updates:
We’re closely watching the forecast and remain hopeful that conditions will allow the event to proceed as planned. However, we have a contingency plan in place in case of severe weather.
Changing Race Distances:
Athletes may choose to switch to a shorter distance before the start — no need to notify race officials.
Just start with your preferred distance, and we’ll automatically move you into that distance.
For example:
- If you’re registered for the 100-mile race but want to do the 50-mile, start at the 50-mile start time.
- The same applies for those moving from 50 to 25 miles.
Once you cross the start line of your race, you must stay in that distance.
Start Times:
Depending on weather conditions, start times may be delayed — by no more than one hour. They will not start earlier than scheduled.
Course Adjustments:
The 100-mile race may be shortened to the 50-mile course. This will be communicated no later than 7am. We strongly encourage all riders to download both course maps. Course maps are available in the Athlete Guide here.
Extreme Weather:
If conditions become dangerous, the race may be canceled. This is a last resort.
Please remember: weather in this area can bring strong storms, hail, and even tornadoes.
If severe weather occurs, seek shelter immediately and do not continue riding until it’s safe.
Mother Nature can be unpredictable — we appreciate your flexibility. Stay safe, stay smart, and enjoy the ride.
Updates will be shared via email, social media, and our website as conditions evolve.
What to Expect
The season’s most unpredictable finale, a tight four-way battle for the men’s crown, and a women’s race still wide open behind Villafañe, all against the rugged and possibly saturated backdrop of Bentonville’s gravel paradise.
Whether you’re racing, watching, or tracking from home, Big Sugar Gravel 2025 is shaping up to be one for the history books.
Watch live this Saturday, October 18th, on the Life Time Grand Prix YouTube channel.
