Crystal Anthony has successfully defended her title in sensational fashion, storming to victory in the Women's 115-mile SOLO race at the prestigious Rule of Three regatta in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Known as one of the most grueling and unique tests on the off-road calendar, the event pushes riders to their absolute limits across three distinct surfaces—tarmac, gravel, and singletrack—all tackled on a single bike. Anthony proved to have the perfect formula for the relentless terrain, crossing the finish line in a blistering time of 7 hours, 2 minutes, and 59 seconds.
From the drop of the green flag, Anthony looked every bit the defending champion, navigating the fast tarmac sectors and punchy gravel climbs of the Ozark Mountains with immense tactical composure.
As the technical singletrack sectors began to take their toll on the field in the final third of the race, Anthony's elite bike-handling skills shone through. She kept the power down to continuously gap her rivals, ultimately soloing to the finish line to secure back-to-back victories on her home turf.
While Anthony checked out at the front, a fierce battle for the remaining podium places unfolded on the dusty Arkansas roads.
Gabriella Arnold, putting in a monumental shift for the Velocio // Exploro team, showed incredible grit to master the brutal climbs and chossy terrain. Arnold paced her effort beautifully over the grueling seven-and-a-half hours of racing, crossing the line in 7:43:03 to lock up a well-deserved third-place finish.
The clinical performances from both Anthony and Arnold reinforce their status among the elite tier of mixed-terrain racers, capping off a spectacular weekend of grassroots cycling culture in the cycling hub of Bentonville.
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