2024: A Year of Surpassing Expectations and Embracing the Journey. Enjoy this piece from our HPT athlete, LTGP silver medalist, and Leadville 100 winner Melisa Rollins.
As I reflect on my 2024 cycling season, I’m filled with pride and gratitude for everything I’ve accomplished. This year exceeded every expectation I had for myself, and the results speak for themselves. From historic victories to unexpected podium finishes, it’s been a season of hard work, resilience, and, above all, growth.
Here are the key highlights from a year I’ll never forget:
Winning the Leadville 100: A Rewarding and Unexpected Breakaway
One of the defining moments of my 2024 season came at the Leadville 100 MTB, a race that holds both personal and professional significance. Leadville is where my journey as a mountain biker began. It was my first-ever mountain bike race eight years ago, and since then, it has remained a pivotal part of my career. My parents have been competing in the race for over 20 years, and our family has a deep history with this iconic event. To win this race—on a solo breakaway, no less—was a moment that felt like the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifices, and lessons learned.
The Leadville 100 is notoriously challenging, with its high-altitude climbs, rocky terrain, and grueling conditions. But I went into the race with confidence, knowing I had the strength and strategy to win. From the start, I felt good, but I knew it would take more than just riding at the front—I would need to make a decisive move.
At about the 40-mile mark, I made my move and went off the front, pushing hard to establish a lead. In a race where the competition is fierce and everyone is looking for an advantage, going solo in such a brutal event is risky, but I believed in my preparation. The decision paid off, and I was able to hold my gap until the finish, crossing the line to claim victory.
This win was extra special given my deep personal connection to the race. It was a culmination of everything I’ve learned from my family, the countless hours of training, and the respect I have for this event. Winning the Leadville 100 on a solo breakaway was a dream come true, and a moment that solidified my place among the top riders in the sport.
Finishing 2nd in the Lifetime Grand Prix: A Season of Resilience
The Lifetime Grand Prix is one of the toughest series in cycling, and finishing 2nd overall this season was a massive achievement. But the journey wasn’t easy. I started the series with a rough patch, opting out of Unbound Gravel, and spending more than half the year outside the top 10. There were moments of frustration, but I knew it was a long game.
Instead of losing faith, I stayed patient, focused on my training, and made strategic adjustments throughout the season. With each race, I found my rhythm and worked my way up the standings. To ultimately finish 2nd overall in the Grand Prix, especially considering the rocky start, was a testament to my resilience, adaptability, and determination. It wasn’t just about the results—it was about staying committed to the process, and in the end, that paid off.
Capping Off the Season with a Win at Iceman Cometh
To cap off my season in style, I claimed the win at the Iceman Cometh Challenge, one of the most iconic and competitive mountain bike races in the midwest. The race features fast singletrack and is often in unpredictable weather conditions, making it a challenging test for any rider.
Having already exceeded expectations with my performances throughout the year, winning Iceman Cometh was the perfect way to close the season. The competition was fierce, but my experience and race tactics allowed me to find the right moment to make my move and hold on for the win. It was a fitting end to a season full of growth and achievement.
A Year of Growth and Resilience
This season has been more than just about wins—it’s been about growth. I’ve learned to face adversity head-on, to trust in my abilities even when the results weren’t immediately in my favor, and to always keep pushing for the next step. Every race this year, from the early struggles of the Lifetime Grand Prix to the triumphs at Leadville and Iceman, has added a new layer to my experience as an athlete.
The year has been a true test of resilience. It’s easy to look at the victories and think of them as the goal, but it’s the challenges in between that shaped me the most. To finish 2nd in the Lifetime Grand Prix, after spending most of the season outside the top 10, required a mix of grit and patience. To win at Leadville in such a dramatic fashion—solo and with the weight of my family’s legacy on my shoulders—felt like the culmination of everything I’ve worked for in my career.
Looking Ahead
As I look forward to the future, I’m more motivated than ever. This season has shown me what I’m capable of, and the victories and lessons will fuel my drive for the seasons to come. The journey is far from over. There are always new challenges, new races to conquer, and new limits to push.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me—my team, sponsors, friends, and family—for believing in me and helping me reach this point. I’m excited to see what 2025 brings, but for now, I’ll take a moment to appreciate this incredible season and the milestones it has brought.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Let’s see where it takes us next.
Photo Credit: Garrett Payer
