Twenty-twenty-five marked a standout season for Melisa Rollins. The American rider performed consistently throughout the Life Time Grand Prix series, which earned her third place overall on the GC. While she finished second at the Leadville Trail 100 MTB and rounded out the podium at Little Sugar MTB, it was her resilient riding at her first-ever stage race, Gravel Burn, that cemented her reputation as a leading protagonist in the off-road racing space.
The Liv Devote Advanced 0 SE features a limited-edition colourway inspired by Melisa Rollins
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Along with winning Stage 4 of Gravel Burn, the Liv Racing Collective athlete placed consistently enough throughout the stage race to finish just 2 minutes and 7 seconds behind eventual winner Axelle Dubau-Prevot. But it wasn’t all plain sailing – Rollins suffered a puncture on Stage 7, which resulted in a time loss that could have potentially cost her a podium finish on the GC. She managed to fix the puncture and fought her way back from last place to finish fifth on the stage and second overall on the GC by a mere 8 seconds – a testament to her never-say-die attitude.
Dubbed ‘Tropical Collage’ it comprises swathes of magentas, cyans and brights yellows to create a bright and bold design
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Rollins used a Liv Devote Advanced 0 SE gravel bike for Gravel Burn, distinguishable by the limited-edition rainbow-bright colourway dubbed ‘Tropical Collage’, which she inspired. As a SRAM-sponsored athlete, Rollin’s Devote is not an off-the-shelf build and is peppered with specific components she requested for Gravel Burn. While many riders opted for regular gravel drivetrains, Rollins chose a Mullet configuration, combining an SRAM Red AXS front end, controls, and brakes with an Eagle XX1 AXS rear, featuring a 46T and 10-52T gear range in this instance. This gearing configuration offers several benefits, including extra cogs for climbing and the ability to run a larger chainring to achieve better top speed.
Rollins chose a Mullet configuration, combining a SRAM Red AXS front end, controls, and brakes with an Eagle XX1 AXS rear
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Owing to the flip-chip, Rollins could run her Liv Devote Advanced 0 SE in one of two positions – a short flip-chip position and the long position, the latter of which unlocks greater tyre clearance of 52mm. This was an easy choice, allowing the fitment of 50mm Kenda Crusher Gravel…