Program to support development of the next generation of professional cyclists
Life Time, the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand and athletic event producer, has announced the launch of the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix U23 Development Program. This new initiative is designed to identify and nurture young talent by providing opportunities to gain invaluable experience and compete alongside top athletes in the nation’s premier off-road cycling series.
Open to cyclists aged 18-22, the program’s top male and female finishers will each earn a spot in the highly coveted 2026 Life Time Grand Prix.
The new program will require athletes to compete in four of the six events that make up the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix series. Athletes will be scored on a separate U23 leaderboard, with the best four race results counting towards their overall standing. Two drop races are allowed, and a minimum of four starts are required for eligibility. In the event of a tie, Big Sugar Gravel will serve as tiebreaker, but is not a required start.
- Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel presented by Continental – Friday, April 11, 2025
- Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano – Saturday, May 31, 2025
- Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik – Saturday, August 9, 2025
- Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival presented by Trek – Saturday, September 13, 2025
- Life Time Little Sugar MTB – Sunday, October 12, 2025
- Life Time Big Sugar Gravel – Saturday, October 18, 2025
Current Life Time Grand Prix athletes will be encouraged to connect with U23 athletes to provide mentorship, facilitating the younger athletes to learn from seasoned professionals who can help them navigate their journey toward the pro ranks.
“As the owner and producer of 15 off-road cycling events, Life Time is dedicated to growing the sport of cycling from the beginner rider to the elite level of the Life Time Grand Prix,” said Kimo Seymour, President of Media and Events at Life Time. “We look forward to playing a direct role in fueling this with the launch of the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix U23 Program and providing a new platform for young athletes to gain experience at a high level.”
How to Apply
Interested athletes must complete these steps by Wednesday, January 15, 2025:
- Complete the U23 Development Program application by 1/15/2025.
- Meet the age requirements.
– Minimum age: 19 on or before 12/31/2025
– Maximum age: Must not turn 23 before 1/1/26 - Register for at least four out of the six listed events.
– Athletes wishing to race the Life Time Leadville MTB 100 will need to enter the lottery, open 12/1/2025 – 12/15/2025.
Photos – Life Time Grand Prix
