Grasshopper Adventure Series: Samara Sheppard and Cole Davis win Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic ahead of Unbound Gravel

Samara Sheppard and Cole Davis emerged victorious at the Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic, the concluding race of the 2026 Grasshopper Adventure Series held in northern California. Both riders claimed their wins on debut appearances in the off-road series, using the event as a final tune-up ahead of the prestigious Unbound Gravel 200 in Kansas. The race featured a challenging 76-mile course with significant climbing and technical descents, testing the riders’ endurance and bike-handling skills. Sheppard, a New Zealander, completed the course in 4 hours 25 minutes, leveraging her mountain biking expertise to pull away on the final climb and descent, overcoming strong competition from Flavia Oliveira Parks and Jen Tavé. Tavé’s third-place finish secured her the overall elite women’s title in the Grasshopper Series for the second time. Meanwhile, Davis, hailing from Roseville, California, won with a commanding margin despite tyre issues, marking his first participation in any Hopper race after years focused on road cycling. Both winners and other top contenders are now preparing for Unbound Gravel 200, with Davis set to make his debut at the event and Sheppard currently placed seventh in the Life Time Grand Prix standings. Tavé, who will also compete at Unbound, holds a strong position on the wild card leaderboard. The performances at Ukiah Mendo provided valuable race experience and confidence ahead of one of gravel racing’s most iconic challenges. The race dynamics were marked by tactical riding and cooperation among leading groups, with key moments occurring on steep climbs and windy descents. Sheppard’s decisive attack on the final descent into a stiff headwind demonstrated her strategic acumen, while Davis’s perseverance through mechanical setbacks highlighted his resilience. The event underscored the growing competitiveness and depth of talent in North American gravel racing circuits. With the Grasshopper Adventure Series now concluded, attention turns to the upcoming Unbound Gravel 200, where many of these riders will seek to build on their recent form. The Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic has once again proven to be a crucial proving ground for elite gravel racers, blending technical terrain with tactical complexity and setting the stage for further high-profile gravel events in the season.