Life Time has unveiled the men’s and women’s rosters for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix, its elite off-road cycling series, which is returning in 2026 for its fifth year.
The series is described as the premier elite off-road cycling series in the United States, attracting competitors from 11 different countries. In 2026, a record 19 of the 44 selected riders originate from outside the US.
The initial selection draws from hundreds of applicants across an unprecedented 24 countries. It includes 22 male and 22 female athletes who will compete in the six-race series.
An additional three men and three women will be selected as wildcard athletes after the Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano concludes on May 30, 2026.
Women’s field
The women’s roster features new depth, with seven athletes set to make their series debut. Among these is Karolina Migoń (Poland), the defending UNBOUND Gravel 200 champion, and Rosa Klöser (Germany), who won UNBOUND Gravel in 2024 and achieved eight other wins in 2025. Ruth Holcomb (USA) joins the line-up after winning the U23 competition in 2025.
The top 12 finishers from the 2025 series are returning, along with Paige Onweller (USA). This group includes three-time champion Sofía Gómez Villafañe (Argentina), who will be aiming for a fourth successive overall triumph.
Women’s 2026 Roster:
- Morgan Aguirre, 32, USA
- Lauren De Crescenzo, 35, USA
- Cecily Decker, 27, USA
- Maude Farrell, 34, USA
- Sofía Gómez Villafañe, 31, Argentina
- Stella Hobbs, 32, USA
- Ruth Holcomb, 22, USA
- Rosa Klöser, 29, Germany
- Sarah Lange, 34, USA
- Emma Langley, 30, USA
- Cecile Lejeune, 27, France
- Karolina Migoń, 29, Poland
- Paige Onweller, 36, USA
- Hannah Otto, 30, USA
- Hayley Preen, 27, South Africa
- Melisa Rollins, 30, USA
- Ruby Ryan, 24, USA
- Samara Sheppard, 35, New Zealand
- Courtney Sherwell, 37, Australia
- Alexis Skarda, 36, USA
- Lauren Stephens, 39, USA
- Sarah Sturm, 36, USA
Men’s field
The men’s field sees the return of the top 12 finishers from 2025, including overall winner Cameron Jones (New Zealand) and three-time champion Keegan Swenson (USA). Following his victory in the debut U23 program, Griffin Hoppin (USA) earned automatic qualification.
Nine further riders are set to make their series debut, such as reigning European Mountain Bike Champion Andreas Seewald (Germany), 2024 Gravel Earth Series winner Simen Nordahl Svendsen (Norway), and Jan Stöckli (Switzerland).
Men’s 2026 Roster:
- Matthew Beers, 31, South Africa
- Zach Calton, 28, USA
- Cobe Freeburn, 24, USA
- Griffin Hoppin, 22, USA
- Brendan Johnston, 34, Australia
- Cameron Jones, 25, New Zealand
- Andrew L’Esperance, 34, Canada
- Bradyn Lange, 26, USA
- Payson McElveen, 32, USA
- Simen Nordahl Svendsen, 26, Norway
- Kyan Olshove, 23, USA
- Cole Paton, 28, USA
- Simon Pellaud, 33, Switzerland
- Marc Pritzen, 26, South Africa
- Torbjørn Røed, 28, Norway
- Andreas Seewald, 34, Germany
- Felix Stehli, 25, Switzerland
- Anton Stensby, 24, Norway
- Jan Stöckli, 26, Switzerland
- Caleb Swartz, 26, USA
- Keegan Swenson, 31, USA
- Alexey Vermeulen, 31, USA
Wild Card and U23 Program
The Wild Card competition returns for 2026. Here, athletes must have applied for the series and must compete at both the Sea Otter Classic Gravel and UNBOUND Gravel 200. The top three men and three women will then be added to the series.
The Life Time Grand Prix U23 development program also returns for 2026. Here, the overall men’s and women’s winners from the U23 competition in 2026 will automatically qualify for the 2027 Grand Prix line-up.
Michelle Duffy Smith, Vice President of Marketing for Life Time and Executive Director of the Life Time Grand Prix, said “The 2025 Life Time Grand Prix was one of the most competitive and exciting seasons we’ve witnessed to date, but 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger. The roster we’ve assembled is set to take the series to another level, with an unparalleled depth of talent.
“With a record US$590,000 prize purse up for grabs, expanded live coverage and additional benefits to support series athletes, we’re proud to see the Life Time Grand Prix attract top talent from around the world and continue to elevate the sport to a new level. It’s been exciting to watch this community grow internationally, and we’re looking forward to the competition that 2026 will bring.”
Athlete applications for the U23 program remain open through March 1, 2026.
