How Do You Build the Fastest Bike for Leadville?

At 10,152 feet, even standing still in Leadville reminds you how thin the air is. Racing from there is another thing entirely.

The Leadville Trail 100 has always been a brutal test of lungs, legs and equipment, but this year the race will demand something different. Wildfire-related closures have forced a major course rethink, removing some of its roughest and most iconic sections and replacing them with faster gravel roads and pavement.

That shifts the emphasis. Speed and efficiency matter even more, but riders still need enough traction, control and protection for more than 100 miles in the Colorado high country.

For Vittoria athletes, that means rethinking their setups. Some are going lighter and narrower. Others are experimenting with larger wheel formats or mixing tread patterns front and rear to balance rolling speed with braking and cornering control.

Three riders, three different approaches, and a glimpse at both the race-proven equipment available today and the technologies we’re developing for what comes next.

Here’s how they’re gearing up for Saturday.

COLE PATON

Hot off his Marathon National Championship victory, Cole Paton heads to Leadville with momentum and a tire setup tailored specifically to this year’s faster course.

Cole has traditionally raced Leadville on 2.4-inch Peyote XC Race tires. This year, with Sugarloaf and Powerline removed and more high-speed riding in their place, he’s going narrower.

“I’m using the Peyote XC Race 2.25 because they are the fastest option that still maintain enough grip and protection for the steep ascents and descents on the Leadville course,” Cole says.

Moving from a 2.4 to a 2.25 also trims rotational weight, something Cole expects to notice over nearly 10,000 feet of climbing. He’s also racing without Air-Liners, feeling that the 60 TPI casing provides enough protection for the revised course.

“I expect the 2.25's to be super fast on the high-speed sections and climb very well. Sizing down from the 2.4 also saves a bit of rotational weight.”

SHOP PEYOTE XC RACE

GRIFFIN HOPPIN

After winning the inaugural U23 Life Time Grand Prix title in 2025, Griffin Hoppin arrives at Leadville aboard one of the most interesting bikes in the field: a prototype 32-inch Ventum full suspension fitted with prototype 32-inch Peyote XC Race tires.

The larger-wheel format is designed to maintain momentum and smooth out rough terrain, while the Peyote keeps rolling resistance low without sacrificing the grip Griffin needs to descend with confidence.

“If you take a peek at rolling resistance testing, the Peyote in 32” tops the list of the fastest off-road tires. More importantly, though, it rides incredibly well.”

Ride quality matters just as much as outright speed for Griffin. “It’s fast while still being confidence-inspiring—you can shred on without being worried about losing grip.”

That balance also gives him confidence if conditions change during the race. “That combination means that whatever the weather looks like here at Leadville, the Peyote will be the right tire for the job.”

Vittoria’s 32-inch tires are still undergoing development and testing and are currently available only to select Vittoria athletes. Expect to see more 32-inch tires in 2027...

LAUREN STEPHENS

Lauren Stephens is also racing something special at Leadville this year. Her bike is still in development, so we can’t show you the complete setup just yet. What we can show you is how she’s tuning each end of the bike for Saturday.