The "Race Across The Sky" is one of the most difficult endurance races on the calendar not only because of the massive climbs but the high altitude, starting at 10,152 feet [3,094m] and climbing to 12,424 feet [3,786m].
Defending champion Howard Grotts will return to try for a third consecutive title, heading up a stacked field of mountain bike talent including former winner Todd Wells, Payson McElveen, Jeremiah Bishop, Alex Grant, Rose Grant, Nina Laughlin and Sarah Sturm.
"It's kind of crazy: a hundred miles at over 10,000 feet. It's fun being a roadie and testing yourself against all the mountain bike racers," Howes said of the race. "Everyone expects us to crash the whole time. Getting out there, showing that we can stay upright – I say that and I'll probably biff it now – but that's part of the motivation."
Both Howes and Morton have raced the Leadville 100 before, but the event will be the first mountain bike race in which Phinney has ever competed.
"Being from Colorado, I've been hearing about Leadville my whole life, really," Phinney said. "I've always been intrigued by it and I've always loved mountain biking."
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