LIFE TIME UNBOUND GRAVEL 200 PRESENTED BY SHIMANO
The second round of the Life Time Grand Prix takes on a brand-new course
World-Class Gravel Cyclists Head to Kansas for the Second Round of the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix
The Life Time Grand Prix returns to Emporia, Kansas on May 30 for Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano. The second of six events in the 2026 Series, featuring an elite roster of world-class athletes fighting for victory and a record prize purse.
Life Time Grand Prix Standings Take Shape Ahead of UNBOUND Gravel
The battle for the Life Time Grand Prix overall lead has entered uncharted territory, as for the first time in series history, Keegan Swenson does not hold the men’s lead heading into Emporia. US Gravel National Champion, Bradyn Lange, currently tops the table in the men’s field after a thrilling two-up sprint to the finish at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel in April, breaking Swenson’s four-year victory streak in dramatic style.
In the women’s field, Sofía Gómez Villafañe builds on her three-year reign as Life Time Grand Prix Champion, once again leading the peloton into UNBOUND Gravel. She claimed maximum points in Monterey, gapping her rivals to claim a solo victory in 5hr 10min 39sec. Gómez Villafañe sits ahead of Lauren Stephens and Karolina Migoń in the series leaderboard.
International Elite Riders Add Depth to the UNBOUND Gravel Field
The fight for first place, however, extends beyond the Life Time Grand Prix. A formidable lineup of international elite riders will descend on Kansas to challenge the series contenders for one of gravel’s most coveted victories. These riders include:
Men’s Elite Riders to Watch
Romain Bardet
Mads Würtz Schmidt
Lachlan Morton
Women’s Elite Riders to Watch
Carolin Schiff
Geerike Schreuers
Axelle Dubau-Prevot
Elite start list for UNBOUND Gravel 200
Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 Course Overview
The 20th anniversary route will encompass 207 miles of gravel roads and feature 9,000 feet of climbing. With a brand-new lead out via 6th street to Prairie, the turn south introduces a mix of iconic sectors and new additions to the race profile.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary, the course will encompass part of the north route for the second half of the course, taking in a wide range of elevation, terrain and gravel before heading up the notorious Highland Hill paved climb and heading into the finish on Commercial St, Emporia.
New for 2026, Elite Feed Zones will be formally separated from age group check points in order to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and protect competitive integrity. All of the Elite Feed Zones are in entirely different locations from the age group check points.
How to Watch Live Coverage
Just as with last year, bringing the action to viewers around the world has proven to grow enthusiasm for the sport and deepen the connection between athletes and fans. This year’s race will be easier to follow than ever before, whether in person or tuning in from afar.
Starting Thursday, May 28th at 12:00 PM CDT, THE LEADOUT, the Life Time Grand Prix Pre-Race Show, will air live from Emporia, Kansas and on the Life Time Grand Prix YouTube channel.
Race day coverage will begin at 5:35 AM CDT on the Life Time Grand Prix YouTube channel on, Saturday, May 30th, with live, on-course video updates for the women’s and men’s races also being shared on the official Life Time Grand Prix and Life Time UNBOUND Gravel Instagram pages, respectively.
A Look Back at 2025
The 2025 edition of UNBOUND Gravel delivered historic performances, blistering course records, and major shakeups in the Life Time Grand Prix standings.
In the elite women’s 200-mile race, 29-year-old Karolina Migoń of Poland put on a masterclass, forcing an early breakaway alongside Cecily Decker and Lauren Stephens before riding solo for the final 48 miles with the final time of 10hr 3min 54sec.
The men’s elite race was equally dramatic, dominated by Wild Card competitor Cameron Jones, who earned himself a spot in the Life Time Grand Prix with a stunning, course-record average speed of 23.49 mph. Jones broke away with Switzerland’s Simon Pellaud just two and a half hours into the event, building an impressive lead before dropping the Swiss rider on the final climbs to win in 8hr 37min 09sec.
These results shook up the overall series leaderboards, leaving Decker tied with Villafañe at the top of the women’s standings. In the men’s division, Pellaud jumped into joint second overall alongside Brendan Johnston, while Keegan Swenson successfully defended his overall series lead with a seventh-place finish.
Watch the 2025 race highlights
Wild Card Riders and U23 Talent Continue to Shape the Future of Gravel Racing
After the successful launch of the Wild Card category in 2025, Wild Card riders will continue to battle it out for the prestigious three Life Time Grand Prix spots in the men’s roster, and four in the women’s (as Sarah Sturm deferred her place with the announcement of her pregnancy).
The riders currently topping the Wild Card leaderboard following the Life Time Sea Otter Classic are as follows:
Men:
Matthew Wilson
Martins Blums
Andrew Dillman
Women:
Jenna Rinehart
Charlotte Clarke
Jen Tave
Danielle Shrosbree
Open to cyclists aged 18-22, the U23 program has also returned for 2026, offering the top male and female finishers a spot in the 2027 Life Time Grand Prix.
Elite Field Schedule & Start Lists
5:50 AM – Saturday, May 30: Elite Men 200 Mile start
6:05 AM – Saturday, May 30: Elite Women 200 Mile start
7:00 PM – Saturday, May 30: Life Time Grand Prix podium
XL Race
The Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano also incorporates the XL race, which takes on 350-miles of Emporian gravel. Riders headlining this category include 2026 Traka 560 winner, Maddy Nutt, 2025 UNBOUND Gravel XL winner, Heather Jackson, in the women’s field and 2025 UNBOUND Gravel XL winner, Rob Britton and 2024 Traka 260 and road World Tour veteran, Peter Stetina, in the men’s field.
XL Schedule & Start Lists
3:00 PM – Friday, May 29: Men & Women XL start
