Life Time has announced details for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix off-road cycling series. The event organiser notes that its fifth season features a record investment in athletes and a refined, performance-based selection process.
The series, which combines mountain biking and gravel disciplines into one professional, gender-equal league, will feature six events, with each athlete’s best five finishes counting toward the overall standings.
The 2026 series line-up is:
- Thursday, April 16: Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel
- Saturday, May 30: Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano
- Saturday, August 15: Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik
- Saturday, September 19: Life Time Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival
- Sunday, October 11: Life Time Little Sugar MTB
- Saturday, October 17: Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik
Life Time is increasing its financial commitment for 2026, with a record-setting US$590,000 in prize money across the series, a 55% increase won 2025.
- Overall Series Prize Purse: US$350,000 will be dedicated to the overall Grand Prix podium, split equally between the women’s and men’s podiums. Payouts will extend through 10th place, with first place receiving US$50,000.
- Individual Event Prizes: The prize purses for UNBOUND Gravel 200 and the Leadville Trail 100 MTB will increase to US$60,000 each. The remaining events will maintain a US$30,000 prize purse. These individual race prizes are allocated to the top-five female and male finishers, regardless of Grand Prix participation.
- Finisher Compensation: New for 2026, athletes placing 11th and beyond in the overall series (with at least three event finishes) will receive US$2,500 in professional finisher compensation.
The men’s and women’s fields will each feature 25 athletes. Applications opened on October 27, 2025, and close on November 5, 2025, with the final roster announced on November 11, 2025.
The selection process is performance-based and includes:
- The top five overall finishers from the 2025 Grand Prix
- The top overall U23 athlete from the 2025 series
- A minimum of 16 selected athletes, evaluated based on performances over the past 12 months at Life Time-owned and selected international off-road events
- Three Wild Card athletes, who will be selected following Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 based on their performance at Sea Otter Classic Gravel and UNBOUND Gravel 200
Kimo Seymour, Life Time President Media & Events, said “We’re very proud of how far the Life Time Grand Prix has advanced in just four seasons, with 2026 reflecting our elevated and ongoing commitment to professional off-road cycling.
“With the expanded prize purse, a more structured and performance-based selection process, and our investment in athlete development through the U23 program, we’ve created an unparalleled platform that both acknowledges and rewards the most dedicated and accomplished riders in the sport.”
Life Time will provide real-time race broadcasts for four 2026 series events: Sea Otter Classic Gravel, UNBOUND Gravel 200, Leadville Trail 100 MTB, and Big Sugar Gravel.
In addition to prize money, selected athletes will receive complimentary entries to all Grand Prix events, complimentary entry into other Life Time events nationwide, and access to Life Time’s athletic country club locations for training and recovery.
