Wildfires force cancellation of Crusher in Tushar gravel race

Wildfires and extreme fire risk have led to the cancellation of Saturday’s Crusher at Tushar, eliminating the third round of the Life Time Grand Prix series.

The 112km gravel race, packed with climbs, was set to feature a field packed with the sport’s top riders from the United States and beyond. Its removal from the Life Time series has reduced the event to six rounds. As a result, organisers have said the final standings will now be calculated on the best four of the six races, rather than the top five.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of this year’s Crusher in the Tushar event, scheduled for July 13, due to the ongoing Silver King and Little Twist wildfires in the Piute County area, home to over half of the Crusher course, as well as the extreme fire risk due to record hot and dry temperatures,” said the Monday night Instagram post from Crusher in the Tushar and the Life Time Grand Prix.

The most recent event in the Life Time series, where 60 selected athletes compete in off-road events across the United States for a share of a $300,000 prize, was Unbound Gravel with the Fuego XL 100K MTB at the Sea Otter Classic, which opened in April. Current event leaders are Haley Smith (Trek Driftless) and Keegan Swenson (Santa Cruz).