Eagle cyclist claims three-peat at iconic Colorado mountain bike race in Vail

Sam Brown won his third-straight Davos Dash crown and Ingrid Stensvaag claimed her first title at the longest continuously-run mountain bike race in Colorado on a windy Wednesday evening in West Vail.

Brown cruised from the intersection of Chamonix Lane and Chamonix Road to the radio tower at the top of Davos in 16 minutes, 54 seconds — 12 seconds ahead of runner-up Nate Maddox — while Stensvaag conquered the iconic 3.56-mile double-track ascent, which climbs approximately 998-feet, in 23:08. Despite a headwind, Brown sliced 31 seconds off his winning time from last year and Stensvaag tore off more than a minute and a half.

“It is true what they say: it doesn’t get easier, you just get faster — sometimes, ha,” Stensvaag stated in an email. “I did ride my gravel bike with mountain bike tires, which is lighter, but the gearing is not ideal for some of the steep sections.”

Course-record holder Josiah Middaugh rounded out the men’s podium in third (18:10). Briana Valorosi (29:47) was the only other competitor in the women’s pro category. Vail Junior Cycling athlete Eva Klesner (26:31) had the second-best time on the day in topping the women’s expert field. Kim Fuller (27:50) posted the third-best time; she went by her husband, Bobby L’Heureux, on the first road climb up to Davos Trail. It’s worth noting, however, that L’Heureux had the couple’s 19-month-old son, Emery, chilling in a Mac Ride seat attached to his top tube.

“Emery always says ‘hi Mama’ when she’s riding nearby. I saw our friends Brett and Tam Donelson at the start of the dirt, and (I) told them I wasn’t sure I was going to make it,” L’Heureux stated. “But we high-fived anyway and I just kept riding. The words of encouragement and joy from other racers and spectators toward Emery and I really motivated me to finish the race.”

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Emery — who’s traversed many of the valley’s trails with his adventurous parents (his go-to ride is Golden Gate on Vail Mountain, L’Heureux said) — was technically competing in his second-ever Davos Dash: Fuller was pregnant when she did the race in 2024.

While Dad pressed into his pedals on Wednesday, the little guy provided play-by-play.

“As riders would pass, Emery would start clapping and yell ‘go rider'” L’Heureux said. “When there weren’t riders around, he was saying ‘fast, so fast!’ He also enjoys talking about what he sees like ‘tree,’ ‘bird,’ ‘car’ and ‘mountains.'”

Right before the final pitch — a brutal 300-yard stretch that reaches 25% grades — L’Heureux’s chain came off. Emery yelled, “Bike, go!” to no avail as his dad dismounted to fix the mechanical. By the time they were up and running again, Fuller had jogged down from the finish to cheer on the dynamic duo.

“By then I was extra determined to finish because we had made it that far,” said L’Heureux, who wound up completing his fifth-career Davos Dash in 37:58. “The ride was hard but so enjoyable to complete with my son.”

The drama at the pointy end of the race was fierce. Brown put in a surge up the first dirt section, but Maddox minimized the gap and got on his wheel.

“I would push over the steep sections, but they weren’t enough to shake him,” Brown admitted. Towards the upper flat portion, Brown tried to get Maddox to pull into the wind for a bit. The Boulder-cyclist didn’t budge and the pace dropped.

“He took a drink of water, I gave him two look backs before attacking again,” Brown said. “On the flat, I was able to get a gap on him, and I ran scared all the way to the finish.” 

Brown is peaking for Bighorn Gravel on June 20. He said the last couple weeks has included a healthy mix of solid training and fast racing. After finishing sixth and eighth in the short track and cross-country mountain bike races at the GoPro Mountain Games, respectively, Brown ran the road time trial up Vail Pass three minutes faster than his previous best.

“Even though Bighorn is a lot longer than the TT, I feel like I am climbing well,” he said. “I am feeling good for Bighorn.”

Speaking of the Eagle County’s premiere off-road bike race, Bighorn Gravel founder and race director Jake Wells was the first non-gravel bike finisher on Wednesday. Wells placed fourth overall in 19:41 — riding a single speed.

Brown won his first Davos Dash in 2024 — another dual with Maddox — on a gravel bike. On Wednesday, the top-3 men took his approach. Brown said he was surprised to see so many athletes across all different categories follow suit.

“I know in the past, people would have some words about people racing it not on a mountain bike,” he said. “I am not sure if now they don’t care or if they have just given in on the fact that some people will race their gravel bike in spite of not everyone agreeing on it.”

“I feel like nowadays, in all disciplines of cycling, there are rules being made for racing that don’t really matter and the excuse is around rider safety,” he continued. “I am happy that the town series is a place where as long as you’re on a bicycle with wheels, brakes and no motor — you can race it.”

Looking ahead: Bighorn, Breck and Boneyard

While normally she trades her bike for long ski touring sessions from December to May, low snow forced Stensvaag into the saddle once a week or so this winter and spring.

“I noticed my bike legs feel stronger than usual for this time of year,” said the 38-year-old, who was also the top local female finisher in the Mountain Games mountain bike events last weekend. The Vail Health employee and Silver Rush 50 runner-up from 2024 plans to ride a few challenging, self-supported Colorado Endurance Series and Dark Timber MTB routes this season. But her primary target is the Breck Epic.

“It’s really fun and challenging,” Stensvaag said of the six-day stage race, where she finished sixth in 2025.

“I raced it last year but could only sleep for three to four hours a night,” she continued. “I felt okay but cracked the last day. I learned a lot and failure motivates me, so I want to give (it a go) again.” 

The Vail Recreation District town series continues with the Summer Solstice 5K and 10K trail runs at Beaver Creek on June 20. The next town series mountain bike event is the Eagle Enduro and Boneyard Brawl on June 24. To register, visit vailrec.com.

Looking ahead, Fuller and L’Heureux are signed up for the Grand Traverse — a 40-mile race from Aspen to Crested Butte — to celebrate Fuller’s 40th birthday.

“Emery will have to wait a few years to do that one,” L’Heureux said.