Vermeulen and Lange Earn Runner-Up Finishes While Quinones Rides into the Top 10

Kenda athletes delivered an outstanding weekend at SBT GRVL in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, with three riders finishing inside the top 10 against one of the strongest professional gravel fields of the season.

Leading the charge was Alexey Vermeulen, who claimed an impressive 2nd place finish in the elite men's race. Sarah Lange matched that result with a hard-fought 2nd place in the women's competition, while Laurel Quinones continued her consistent season by racing to 10th place.

The annual SBT GRVL event is regarded as one of the premier gravel races in North America, featuring over 100 miles of high-speed "champagne gravel," more than 8,500 feet of climbing, and a world-class professional field.

Alexey Vermeulen Battles Back for Second

After a six-week break from racing following Unbound Gravel, Vermeulen returned to competition ready to test himself against one of gravel racing's deepest fields.

Following several days of course reconnaissance and tire testing, Alexey chose the Kenda 4titude Slick tires, opting for maximum speed on the fast Steamboat course.

Early in the race, a select breakaway formed while Vermeulen settled into the main chase group. As the race entered its final third, he launched a perfectly timed attack to bridge across to the leaders after eventual winner Keegan Swenson made his decisive move.

With Swenson solo off the front, Vermeulen positioned himself perfectly for the sprint among the chase group, attacking before the final corner and holding off the competition to secure an impressive second-place finish.

"It felt like a great end to a day where I missed the original breakaway but still managed to fight my way back to the front of the race."

Sarah Lange Takes a Bold Solo Gamble

Sarah Lange delivered one of the most exciting rides of the women's race, proving that aggressive racing can pay off.

Knowing the course would reward tactical decisions, Lange repeatedly tested the field on the climbs before making her defining move late in the race.

With approximately 25 miles remaining, she attacked from a lead group of eight riders after noticing hesitation behind her. The move quickly opened a gap, and Lange committed fully to a solo effort.

She remained alone off the front for nearly 25 miles before eventually being caught with just two miles remaining by eventual winner Sofia Gomez Villafañe. Despite narrowly missing victory, Lange crossed the line in second after one of the day's most courageous performances.

"I knew this race was going to be fast and tactical. At mile 82 I got a gap when our group stopped working together, so I decided to go for it. I was solo for about 25 miles and gave it everything I had. Sofia caught me with two miles to go, but I'm really happy with second place and proud that I committed to the move."

Laurel Quinones Earns Top-10 Finish in Steamboat Debut

Laurel Quinones added another strong performance to her 2026 season, racing to 10th place in the elite women's field at SBT GRVL.

Competing on Steamboat's signature "champagne gravel," Quinones found the long climbs well suited to her strengths as the race unfolded. She enjoyed the tactical nature of the opening half of the event, describing it as feeling much like a road race before the course opened into the rugged Colorado backcountry.

For race day, Quinones relied on a Kenda Crusher 45 up front paired with a Kenda Crusher 50 in the rear, a combination that delivered the speed and confidence she needed throughout the demanding 108-mile course.

The narrower front tire helped her stay with the lead group on the climbs, while the wider rear tire provided comfort and control on the high-speed descents, resulting in a smooth, trouble-free ride.

"The Kenda Crushers were perfect for my first Steamboat. I hadn't seen much of the course before the race, so I wasn't totally sure what to expect, but I was super pleased with my tires. They were the perfect choice for such a fast course, and I never had to worry on the fast descents."

After crossing the line inside the top ten, Quinones reflected on the experience, saying, "The course was incredibly beautiful, the long climbs suited me well, and I can't wait to come back next year."

Premium Performance on Race Day

SBT GRVL once again showcased the speed, durability and confidence required to compete at the highest level of gravel racing. From tactical attacks and solo breakaways to high-speed finishes, Kenda athletes trusted their equipment throughout one of the season's toughest events.

Congratulations to Alexey Vermeulen, Sarah Lange and Laurel Quinones on an exceptional weekend representing Kenda on one of gravel racing's biggest stages.