Pueblo, CO – October 11, 2025 – Twenty-one COS Racing riders made a powerful showing at this year’s sold-out edition of Grassroots Gravel in Pueblo, CO. With riders competing across all three major distances—39, 75, and 113 miles— COS Racing secured multiple overall and age group wins, including three age-group victories and one overall win in the 39-mile race, as well as an additional five top-3 age-group finishes.
In the 39-mile “Lil Chile” race, COS Racing brought serious firepower to the start line, with nine men and two women tackling the fast, punchy course. Veteran rider Aaron Sudduth defended his 2024 title with a dramatic finish, executing a perfectly timed bike throw in the final sprint to edge out his closest rival and claim first place overall among more than 425 competitors. This marks Sudduth’s second consecutive win at Grassroots Gravel and extends COS Racing’s streak of overall victories on this course since 2023. This was also Sudduth’s fifth short-course gravel victory in 2025.
The men’s squad showed remarkable depth, placing six additional riders in the top 16: Roman Pena (7th), Justin Jewell (11th), then Pete Galeotti (12th) and Mike Rucker (13th), and Mike Elmer (14th), and Matt Wright (16th). Elmer and Pena also landed on the age-group podium with second and third, respectively, while Wright and Jewell both cracked the top-five in their categories. Terry Lott and Morgan Chapman rounded out the men’s field with solid finishes in the top half of the pack.
In the women’s race, Charlotte Miller and Erica Otero rode a smart, steady race in a field of 183 competitors. Miller secured a decisive age-group win in the Female 70+ category, while Otero shaved more than 30 minutes off her previous time on this course—thanks in part to collaborative pacing with Miller throughout the day. Their teamwork and tenacity exemplified COS Racing’s ethos of mutual support and performance at every level.
In the 75-mile event—dubbed “The Half”—COS Racing fielded seven riders, including longtime team coach and mentor Daniel Matheny (Matheny Endurance). Daniel sailed to a 7th-place finish out of 241 competitors, securing second in the Men’s 40+ category. Teammate Glen Larson crossed the line 40th overall, earning second in Men’s 60+. Paul Arlinghaus delivered a solid ride for 57th overall, while George York followed close behind in 74th overall and 8th in AG. Dean Carlson and Chris Ferguson pushed through to finish 101st and 105th, respectively, with Scott Cadwallader rounding out the squad in 137th overall. Across the board, COS Racing showed depth, consistency, and grit on a course that demanded all three.
In the 113-mile “Full” course, COS Racing’s endurance specialists delivered strong performances across a grueling day in the saddle. Chad Matteson led the squad with a 16th-place overall finish, earning second in the Men’s 50+ category. Seth Hurley followed close behind in 20th overall, placing 7th in his age group, while Rick Maghanoy rounded out the trio with a solid 35th overall and 8th in AG. The team’s consistency and resilience over the long miles reflected both preparation and grit—hallmarks of COS Racing’s approach to ultra-distance gravel.
Grassroots Gravel marked the final gravel event of COS Racing’s 2025 season, closing out a year of hard-fought miles, podium finishes, and team camaraderie. With the dust settled in Pueblo, the squad now turns its focus to winter training and the upcoming 2026 gravel calendar. First up: the Old Man Winter Rally in Lyons, CO, kicking off in early February. COS Racing is already gearing up for another season of grit, strategy, and community-driven racing across Colorado’s toughest terrain.
Team Participation & Results
39mi – Men’s Field – 228 entries
- Aaron Sudduth: 1st Overall / 1st AG
- Roman Pena: 7th OA / 3rd AG
- Justin Jewell: 11th OA / 5th AG
- Pete Galeotti: 12th OA / 6th AG
- Mike Rucker: 13th OA / 7th AG
- Mike Elmer: 14th OA / 2nd AG
- Matt Wright: 16th OA / 4th AG
- Terry Lott: 45th OA / 12th AG
- Morgan Chapman: 59th OA / 9th AG
39mi – Women’s Field – 183 entries
- Charlotte Miller: 1st AG / 32nd OA
- Erica Otero: 15th AG / 33rd OA
75mi – Men’s Field – 250 entries
- Daniel Matheny: 7th OA / 1st AG
- Glen Larson: 40th OA / 2nd AG
- Paul Arlinghaus: 57th OA / 15th AG
- George York: 74th OA / 8th AG
- Dean Carlson: 101st OA / 12th AG
- Chris Ferguson: 105th OA / 34th AG
- Scott Cadwallader: 137th OA / 42nd AG
113mi – Men’s Field – 142 entries
- Chad Matteson: 16th OA / 2nd AG
- Seth Hurley: 20th OA / 7th AG
- Rick Maghanoy: 35th OA / 8th AG
NOTE: This article was developed with editorial support from Microsoft Copilot, an AI companion that assisted in drafting, refining, and formatting content for clarity, consistency, and tone.
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