Imagine a grueling 300-mile gravel race with nearly 17,000 feet of elevation gain—a true test of human endurance and machine capability. Now picture a yet-to-be-released bike dominating this challenge, leaving competitors in the dust. That’s exactly what happened at the Mega Mid South ultra race, where Salsa Cycles’ mysterious new gravel bike stole the show. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this bike a game-changer poised to replace Salsa’s iconic Warbird, or is it an entirely new beast altogether? Let’s dive in.
The Mega Mid South, organized by the Mid South team based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is no ordinary race. It’s a self-supported, no-fee event that follows the outer perimeter of every past Mid South course. This year, 146 riders lined up for the second annual grand depart, including several Salsa-sponsored athletes on a bike that doesn’t even exist in the brand’s current catalog—yet. And this is the part most people miss: While the race is largely unorganized, the Mid South media team masterfully hypes it on social media, turning it into a spectacle that even home viewers can’t ignore.
The event doubles as a send-off party for the following year’s Mid South gravel race series, which recently announced a new format. But the Mega Mid South stands apart with its self-supported nature and reliance on Trackleaders tracking as the sole participation requirement. When the 2025 Mid South race was canceled due to wildfires, the ultra community didn’t skip a beat. Riders like Ted King and Chase Wark turned their focus to setting the fastest known time (FKT), with Wark claiming the men’s record.
This year’s grand depart saw Salsa Cycles team riders Matt Acker and Jill Martindale dominate the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. Martindale also snagged the women’s FKT. Another Salsa rider, Britt Mason, was on pace to shatter the women’s record by nearly 5 hours—until technical issues forced her to scratch at mile 285. All three riders were on the same bike: Salsa’s unreleased gravel machine.
The bike’s appearance at the race wasn’t a coincidence. Salsa teased new models on Instagram, hinting at demos during the event. But it’s clear the brand also used the race as a real-world test, showcasing the bike’s capabilities on Oklahoma’s demanding red dirt roads. This strategy isn’t new—brands like Factor and Orbea have done similar slow-burn reveals at events like Unbound. But Salsa’s execution feels particularly bold, leaving fans and competitors alike wondering: What’s next?
Here’s the burning question: Is this bike a Warbird successor, or something entirely different? Salsa hasn’t said—yet. But one thing’s for sure: this bike has already proven itself on one of the toughest courses out there. What do you think? Is this the future of gravel racing, or just another marketing stunt? Let us know in the comments!
