Life Time Announces World-Class Roster For 2026 Life Time Grand Prix
From five continents to one start line – the fifth edition of the Grand Prix looks to be the most competitive yet, with the biggest off-road prize purse of $590,000 USD
The nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand and athletic event producer, has unveiled the men’s and women’s rosters for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix.
Returning for the fifth year, the Life Time Grand Prix is the premier elite off-road cycling series in the United States, garnering athletes and fans from across the globe. The 2026 lineup will feature competitors from 11 different countries across the men’s and women’s competitions, with a record 19 of the 44 selected riders originating from outside the United States.
Drawing from hundreds of applicants across an unprecedented 24 countries, the initial selection includes 22 male and 22 female athletes who will compete in the six-race series. An additional three men and three women will then 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 continues to get deeper, this year with Karolina Migon and Rosa Klöser joining a strong group of seven athletes who are set to make their Grand Prix debut. Migon is the defending UNBOUND Gravel 200 champion who has also triumphed in the two most recent editions of The Traka 360. Klöser also tasted victory at UNBOUND Gravel in 2024 and backed that up with eight other wins in 2025. Ruth Holcomb will also be joining the women’s line-up, having won the U23 competition in dominant style in 2025.
The top 12 finishers from the 2025 series are also returning, along with Paige Onweller, who earned a top-three finish in 2024. This includes three-time champion Sofía Gómez Villafañe, who will be aiming for her fourth successive overall triumph.
- Morgan Aguirre, 32, USA
- Lauren De Crescenzo, 35, USA
- Cecily Decker, 27, USA
- Maude Farrell, 34, USA
- Sofia Gomez Villafane, 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 Migon, 29, Poland
- Paige Onweller, 36, USA
- Hannah Otto, 30, USA
- Hayley Preen, 27, South Africa
- Melisa Rollins, 29, 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 top 12 finishers from the 2025 competition – including overall winner Cameron Jones and three-time champion Keegan Swenson – will be back in action once again. Following his victory in the debut U23 program this year, Griffin Hoppin will also join the men’s field, having earned automatic qualification.
Nine further riders are also set to make their series debut, including reigning European Mountain Bike Champion Andreas Seewald, 2024 Gravel Earth Series winner Simen Nordahl Svendsen and Jan Stöckli, who finished runner-up at The Traka 360 earlier this year.
- 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 Selection
The Wild Card competition is making a return following its successful introduction to the 2025 Series, adding a chance for riders who were not included in the initial selection to make their mark.
To be selected as a Wild Card, athletes must have applied for the 2026 series, indicated they want to be included in the Wild Card pool, and compete at both the Sea Otter Classic Gravel and UNBOUND Gravel 200.
Wild Card riders will be scored on their performances at these two events, with the top three women and men being added to the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix. Additional Wild Card spots may be added if any selected athletes withdraw before July 1, 2026.
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 $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 globally, and we’re looking forward to the competition that 2026 will bring.”
U23 Program
The Life Time Grand Prix U23 development program will return for the 2026 series, following its success this year. Once again, the overall winner from the women’s and men’s competition will automatically qualify for the 2027 Life Time Grand Prix line-up. The U23 program reflects Life Time’s commitment to athlete development and fostering the next generation of fans and cyclists at all levels of the sport. Athlete applications remain open through March 1, 2026.
To learn more about the 2026 series, visit lifetimegrandprix.com
