Photo via Cyclingnews

Life Time Grand Prix: Tobias Kongstad surges from nine-rider sprint to win elite men's gravel race at Big Sugar Classic

The Life Time Grand Prix series concluded with a dramatic finale at the Big Sugar Classic in Bentonville, Arkansas, where Tobias Mørch Kongstad delivered a tactical masterclass to claim victory. Leading a late nine-rider sprint, Kongstad secured the win in 4 hours, 36 minutes, and 3 seconds after rejoining the peloton following an early breakaway.

His triumph came ahead of Life Time Grand Prix rivals Mārtiņš Blūms and Cole Paton, who finished second and third, respectively. The Norwegian rider’s strategy included convincing his competitors to let him lead after being caught on a steep climb, ultimately preserving his energy for the decisive sprint.

Meanwhile, overall series leader Keegan Swenson, who had been hampered by an early mechanical, finished 24th—13 minutes behind Kongstad—yet still secured enough points to retain his Grand Prix title. Blūms, who navigated a detour early in the race, admitted to struggling before rallying to claim the top Grand Prix finish of the day, while other contenders like Matt Wilson, Drew Dillman, and Brendan Johnston rounded out the top eight.

Up nextCycling· 4h ago

GB's Morris completes hat-trick of golds at Worlds