Finishing fifth overall in just 4 days, 21 hours, and 23 minutes, Matt Annabel takes the singlespeed win at the 2026 Colorado Trail Race! Learn more about his ride and his bike setup here…

Words by Alan Jacoby, photos by Eddie Clark

Matt Annabel is officially the singlespeed champion of the 2026 Colorado Trail Race. He crossed the finish line in Durango at 1:23 a.m. and stopped the clock at 4 days, 21 hours, and 23 minutes. The tenacious effort was also strong enough for fifth position overall.

It’s fair to say that the humble 51-year-old from Glenwood Springs, Colorado, has secured legend status on the CTR. He’s tackled and finished the race for the last five years straight. Other than his rookie year in 2022, he’s always pedaled and pushed a singlespeed. In 2023, he took third place, and since then, he’s only seen the top step of the podium. With this victory, Matt just became a three-time singlespeed winner, and he’s done it three years straight. He’s now also gone sub-five days in both directions.

Annabel rode strong and steady the whole race, and didn’t appear to have any mechanical issues or major mishaps. One section of the trail that usually gives him trouble—and everyone else, for that matter—is Sargents Mesa. Normally, it takes him around five hours to get through it. This year, he chugged some maple syrup and blasted through it in two and a half hours, which surely must have been a highlight of his ride!

His nine-year-old titanium hardtail nicknamed “Badger” accompanied him on the ride. It’s a Why Cycles (Now Revel) Wayward. Interestingly, he owns two Wayward frames, both built up singlespeed. Badger is a little lighter and racier, while his other bike “Blue” has a beefier component selection. Blue accompanied Matt on his previous two victories, and this time, it was Badger’s turn for some fun. His gearing was 32x22T, which has stayed the same every year on this route.

The last day of the race was brutal in terms of smoke in the San Juans. The winds have been blowing in unhealthy air from the Elk Fire outside of Lake City, and getting the finish was tough going. Still, nothing was going to stop him from making it to the Junction Creek Trailhead. Congratulations, Matt on another stellar win and proving 50 is the new 40!

Check out the 2026 Colorado Trail Race Tracker page to follow along on the live tracking map, and stay tuned in for more event coverage. Find it here.

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