Life Time Unveils Standardized Qualification Requirements for Its Pro Races

Life Time has unveiled standardized qualifying criteria for riders looking to enter the pro category at Unbound Gravel, Leadville, and its other marquee races.

For 2027, riders wishing to race in the pro fields will need to obtain an “LT Pro Number”. Some riders will qualify automatically based on their previous results in Life Time events. Others will need to submit an application with proof that they meet other standards, listed below.

Riders only need to qualify once per season and are good to go for the remaining races in the calendar year once they qualify. Receiving an LT Pro Number is not a race entry or guarantee of a spot at a race; it only allows a rider to enter the pro race. Riders still need to sign up for each race. It is also not an entry into the Life Time Grand Prix; rather, it allows racers to enter the pro field at those events.

An LT Pro number will be needed to enter the pro field in the seven races that also comprise the Life Time Grand Prix. The Sea Otter Classic Gravel Pro Race, Unbound Gravel 200, Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Chequamegon MTB Festival, Little Sugar MTB, Big Sugar Gravel, and The Rad Dirt Fest all require an LT Pro number for the pro race.

Transparency and safety

The announcement is Life Time’s latest change aimed at creating more standardized, transparent pro racing qualification. Life Time announced this summer standardized qualification criteria for making the 25-rider fields for the Life Time Grand Prix, the premier offroad racing series in North America.

As gravel racing has become more competitive and faster over the years, Life Time has taken steps in the name of safety, including moving the pros to their own start times ahead of the mass participation rides. Now, Life Time is hoping that standardized criteria will make the pro races safer by limiting spots to top riders.

“We love that our events bring together athletes of all ages and abilities, and create opportunities for people to challenge themselves,” said Michelle Duffy, director of the Life Time Grand Prix. “At the same time, mass participant events like Unbound and Leadville are fast and can be tightly packed, particularly at the front of the field. Establishing clear, performance-based criteria for the Pro start helps ensure riders competing at the front have demonstrated the experience and ability to race safely at that level, while providing a transparent pathway for athletes to earn their place.”

Being fast doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand with being a safe racer, but the new criteria should help limit the pro fields to more experienced riders.

The Pro race qualification standards

There are a number of pathways to qualify for Pro status at Life Time races.

Automatic approval pathways

Several criteria qualify riders automatically for an LT Pro Number. 2025 and 2026 results both count for 2027.

• LT Pro Events: finish within 10% of the champion’s time in your Pro field
• LT Pro Qualifiers: finish top three overall and within 10% of the champion’s time
• Top 10 in the 2025 or 2026 Life Time Grand Prix series
• Current national or world champion in the Elite/Pro field, mountain bike or gravel

Life Time has denoted seven races as LT Pro Qualifiers, where a top result can earn you an LT Pro Number. The key word here is can, because you need to finish top-three and within 10% of the winner’s time.

The 7 LT Pro Qualifiers

• Sea Otter Classic Gravel 60
• Sea Otter Classic Fuego XL
• Lutsen 99er
• Leadville Silver Rush 50 MTB
• Leadville Stage Race
• Austin Rattler MTB
• UNBOUND Gravel 100

Cutoff times for both LT Pro and LT Pro Qualifiers can be found here.

Non-automatic qualification pathways

Racers can also earn an LT Pro number through these alternate pathways, though these will be reviewed by a committee and are not automatic. The committee is made up of Life Time race and series staff.

A top result in the pro field at a race outside Life Time

There are 19 non-Life Time events that offer racers a chance to qualify for an LT Pro Number.

Winning your age group overall at one of the listed Life Time races

In addition to qualifying with finish time, or a combination of overall position and finish time, racers who win their age group overall in a Life Time qualifying race can also apply for an LT Pro Number. Racers with an LT Pro number are not required to race pro and can opt to race age group instead.

You can read more about qualification and apply here. Applying is free and racers are allowed to reapply with every qualifying result they earn. Qualification is good for that calendar year, after which racers will need to either reapply or qualify automatically for 2028 based on 2027 results. You will hear back from the committee within a week.