The final race of the 2024 Lifetime Grand Prix series took place at Big Sugar Gravel in Bentonville, Arkansas, where riders faced a challenging 169km course with 2100m of ascent. The stakes were high, and the race not only tested the riders’ endurance but also decided the final standings of the series. Alexey Vermeulen (ENVE-Factor) took the win after launching a decisive attack in downtown Bentonville, edging out Colby Simmons (Visma-Lease a Bike) by eight seconds. From a reduced chase group, Brendan Johnston (Giant Bikes) sprinted for third place, while Matthew Beers crossed the line in fourth in that group, securing 6th overall in the race. More importantly, Beers' result cemented his 2nd place in the
overall Lifetime Grand Prix series, making it a season to remember for the Toyota Specialized rider.

The day began with Beers and Michael Garrison leading the charge at the first-time check, with a 40- second gap over the main peloton. But the race quickly turned into a battle for survival, as the South African rider faced mechanical difficulties that made his day even tougher. Reflecting on his performance, Beers said: “This race was about redemption for me after crashing out last year and losing a shot at a good payday. I knew I needed to finish top five to hold onto my spot in the series. It was intense, and I had to make sure none of the Lifetime riders got too far ahead, especially Keegan [Swenson] and Payson [McElveen]."

Beers experienced two tyre punctures during the race, significantly impacting his strategy. “I flatted about an hour into the race, and then again just before the main climb at around 120km. Both times, I had to stop, plug the tyre, and CO2 it as fast as possible. I lost about two minutes, but I just kept pushing, riding through the field and catching the groups ahead."

Despite the setbacks, Beers managed to bridge back to the lead group, positioning himself for the decisive sprint. "By the time I caught up with Keegan and the others, the race had splintered, and we were down to a handful of riders. It was a chess game towards the finish. Everyone was looking at me and Keegan to pull back Alexey and Colby, but I knew I had to save my energy for the sprint against Payson." In the final two kilometres, Beers focused on outmanoeuvring McElveen to secure his spot as runner-up in the Lifetime Grand Prix. "I didn't want to go into a big bunch sprint, so I marked Payson closely. We were riding slow, waiting for the right moment, and I timed my sprint perfectly. I protected my line and made
sure it would be tough for him to come around. It worked out, and I’m stoked to finish second overall." With his 2nd place finish in the series, Beers expressed his gratitude to his sponsors: "I’m incredibly thankful for the continued support from Toyota and Specialized. They’ve had my back all season, and I wouldn’t be here without them. It’s a privilege to live my dream, and I’m looking forward to heading back home to Cape Town to reset with my family."