Kenda athletes Deanna Mayles and Hannah Otto delivered standout performances at Grand Junction Rides & Vibes in Colorado, combining tactical racing, technical strength, and resilience to secure victories and podium finishes across the weekend’s criterium and backcountry events.

Formerly known as the Grand Junction Off-Road, the rebranded Grand Junction Rides & Vibes event continues to be one of the most unique stops on the gravel and cross-country calendar, blending high-speed downtown racing with demanding backcountry terrain across the iconic Lunch Loops trail system.

This year’s edition featured hot, dry conditions and especially loose, rocky terrain—adding an extra layer of difficulty across both race formats.

Deanna Mayles Goes Back-to-Back with Another Grand Junction Victory

Deanna Mayles delivered one of the weekend’s defining performances, securing the overall win in the 40-mile Backcountry Race and adding a 2nd-place finish in the Fat Tire Crit to complete another strong all-around showing.

The Lunch Loops backcountry course demanded everything from riders, with extended technical descents, loose climbing, and a decisive mid-race ascent that often determines the final outcome.

Mayles chose a fast-rolling yet capable setup, racing Kenda Rush tires front and rear at 15.5–17 PSI to balance efficiency on long climbs with control on the rocky descents.

“The Rush tires gave me the right mix of speed and control,” Mayles said. “The trails were especially loose and rocky this year, but I trusted my setup and rode with confidence.”

Her race wasn’t without challenge. A sharp rock puncture on the technical descent forced a quick mid-race stop and repair, but she was able to continue without losing momentum in the decisive sections.

Despite the setback, Mayles executed a disciplined climb strategy, building a gap on Hannah Otto during the long ascent and ultimately holding her advantage to the finish.

She crossed the line first overall, securing her second consecutive Grand Junction Backcountry win following her 2025 victory.

In the Friday night Fat Tire Crit, Mayles was active from the start, leading through tight corners and controlling position through lap primes before ultimately finishing 2nd in a sprint finish behind Hannah Otto.

“My goal was to lead through the corners so I wouldn’t get strung out,” she said. “It came down to a sprint on the final lap, and I’m happy with how I raced.”

Hannah Otto Wins Crit and Battles to Strong Backcountry Podium

Hannah Otto also delivered a high-level weekend, earning a victory in the Fat Tire Crit before going on to secure a 2nd-place finish in the Backcountry Race after a demanding chase effort through the heat and technical terrain.

The Friday night criterium featured a fast 6-corner downtown loop packed with spectators and constant high-speed racing. Otto executed a patient strategy, choosing to wait for the decisive moment rather than committing to early attacks.

“Sometimes those moves come from nerves or impatience,” Otto said. “I decided to wait and trust myself for the final lap.”

When the race came down to the closing corners, Otto responded to an aggressive late attack, quickly closing the gap and launching a counterattack to take control in the final moments.

“I shoved it down, accelerated back to the wheel, and counter attacked,” she said. “When I came around the final corner, I could finally breathe—I did it. Victory.”

The following morning’s backcountry race brought a dramatically different challenge, with a quick turnaround and early fatigue playing a role in the opening hour.

Otto found herself slightly off the back of the lead group early but focused on technical efficiency and steady pressure over the demanding terrain. She gradually worked her way back into contention, eventually returning to 2nd place and closing in on the leader during the key climb.

However, the combination of heat, effort, and a few small mistakes prevented her from fully bridging the gap before the finish.

“I stayed focused on riding each technical section as fast as possible,” Otto said. “I fought my way back and had fun racing the course and my competitors. Any day on the podium is a good day.”

She ultimately crossed the line in 2nd place, completing a strong and consistent weekend across both events.

Strong Weekend for Kenda Athletes on Demanding Terrain

From downtown criterium sprints to long, technical backcountry climbs, both Deanna Mayles and Hannah Otto demonstrated elite-level versatility across vastly different race formats.

The Kenda Rush once again proved its value on the demanding Lunch Loops terrain, delivering the speed, control, and reliability needed to compete at the front of a stacked field on loose and rocky courses.

With a back-to-back victory for Mayles and a win plus podium for Otto, Kenda athletes continue to set the pace at one of the most challenging and vibrant events on the North American calendar.

Congratulations to Deanna Mayles and Hannah Otto on another outstanding weekend in Grand Junction.