Life Time announced on Thursday 29 October that, from 2027, riders must hold an LT (Life Time) Pro Number to enter the Pro race at its major off-road events, including Unbound Gravel 200, Leadville Trail 100 and Big Sugar Gravel.
Organisers say safety drove the change, citing fast mass starts and sketchy riding at the front of the field.
Once approved for an LT Pro Number by the selection committee, a rider’s number is valid for one calendar year and costs nothing. However, it does not guarantee entry, as riders must still register or secure a place through a lottery.
Automatic approval goes to Top-10 Life Time Grand Prix finishers, current national or world champions, and riders who finish within 10 percent of the winner’s time at a Pro event in 2025 or 2026. At Unbound Gravel 200, that meant finishing within 55 minutes 29 seconds of Mads Würtz Schmidt’s 2026 winning time of 09:14:51, or in 10:10:16 or faster.
That is a small group, judging by this year’s results. Only 23 of the 117 Elite Men who started the Unbound Gravel 200 finished within the time cut-off.
Pro Qualifier races, including the shorter Unbound Gravel 100, require both a top-three overall finish and a time within the same margin.
Everyone else must roll the dice and take their chances with the selection committee, managed by Life Time staff, which “looks at” results from other events and promises a response within a week.
Critics may find the multiple pathways, differing placing requirements and committee discretion clear as mud. But then, gravel racing is often quite muddy.
Details and 2025-2026 results with LT Pro Number cut-off times are available at lifetimegrandprix.com/elite-eligibility.
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