U23 Program
The Future of Off-Road​
The U23 Program was created to support and develop the next generation of off-road racers. Now in its second year, the program provides emerging athletes the opportunity to compete across the same iconic events as the professional field while building experience at the highest level.
Following Race 2, the top 10 men and women from the U23 standings will be selected to join the program for the remainder of the season. These athletes will receive race entries for the rest of the series and the chance to prove themselves on some of the most challenging courses in off-road racing.
At the end of the season, the two U23 champions automatically qualify for the following year’s Life Time Grand Prix, creating a direct pathway for rising talent to step onto the sport’s biggest stage.
HOW TO QUALIFY
REQUIREMENTS
Age and Eligibility
- Must be 18 years or older on or before December 31, 2025
- Must not turn 23 before January 1, 2027
Application
- Athletes must apply by January 31, 2026
- Women's application will remain open until May 15, 2026
- Acceptance is based on proof of past performance
Racing Requirements
- Athletes will start in the elite corral for each event
- Athletes must race Life Time Sea Otter Classic and/or Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano
- Athletes must register for at least 4 of 6 Life Time Grand Prix events
- Accepted athletes will receive a reserved entry to UNBOUND Gravel 100
- Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik requires separate lottery entry (open December 1-15, 2025)
Selection and Rewards
- Top 10 men and women will be selected after Race 2, UNBOUND Gravel
- Life Time will cover remaining race entry fees for selected athletes
- The two men and women champions will automatically qualify for the following Life Time Grand Prix season
Wild Card Conflict
Athletes can be in the U23 Program and compete for a Wild Card spot. However, if an athlete earns and accepts a Wild Card spot, they will be removed from the U23 Program and leaderboard. Athletes competing for a Wild Card spot must complete the UNBOUND Gravel 200 and use it as a drop race for the U23 Program.
2026 SEASON
EVENT SCHEDULE
U23 athletes compete across the same six iconic races as the Life Time Grand Prix field with the exception of the UNBOUND Gravel 200.
HOW IT WORKS
SCORING
- 4 race starts required and best 4 of 6 races will be scored, allowing for 2 drop races
- Athletes are scored amongst themselves on a separate leaderboard and scoring applies only to U23 athletes — overall finish position doesn't matter, only placement among U23 finishers
- Scoring is placement-based — 1st place earns 1 point, 2nd earns 2 points, and so on
- Lowest total score wins
Example
If a U23 athlete finishes 6th overall but is the first U23 finisher, they place 1st among U23 and receive 1 point.
Tiebreaker
In the event of a tie, performance at Big Sugar Gravel serves as the tiebreaker. Big Sugar Gravel is not required, but the tiebreaker goes to the athlete who performs better at that event.
Note: While both a DNS and DNF score 0, a DNF beats a DNS in a tiebreaker.