Morgan Aguirre conquered the mud to win 2025 The Hills gravel race in Italy (Image credit: @GravelEarthSeries | @thetraka | @rsalanova)

The majority of the invitation-only field for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix was confirmed on November 11, providing relief to many of the 44 athletes. There were still six spots to be earned by wildcard selections after Unbound Gravel 200, with some usual suspects from previous Grand Prix seasons now on the outside looking in.

One of the notable absences on the roster was Texas-based Emily Newsom. She took to Instagram for a reaction the day following the Life Time news that she would not return, writing, «This fall has been one of the hardest in my career and that’s saying a lot because I’ve had some doozies. Yesterday it was a pointed shoe kick square in the kidneys reading that I wasn’t accepted into the Life Time Grand Prix.»

Newsom was a mainstay in the invitation-only field for the first three seasons, earning fifth overall in 2022, the first year of the series. She did not receive an early invite back in 2025, having to go through a wildcard selection process, which left her on the sidelines of the series when she crashed out of Unbound Gravel 200.

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• Life Time Grand Prix 2025

While she said she had been confident her application would be accepted this time, Newson reflected on the reality that it was just part of the business of sport and she would take on the wildcard again as a challenge. It was a double hit of news for her, having learned two months ago she would not receive a new contract to race for PAS Racing either.

«It was definitely a disappointment, but [it’s] a large part of being a professional cyclist,» she told Cyclingnews Wednesday about the Life Time news. «Yes, I will pursue the wild card. Other than paying for Sea Otter and Unbound entries, I think the wild card is the way to go. If things go well, you’re in, if they don’t, well the two potentially poor results would affect the whole series, so I’d rather not do it then!

«I was not re-signed by Pas Racing. I had a feeling I wasn’t based on rumblings within the team. I am looking at it as a positive thing since now I get to design my own kit, and showcase my sponsors, which I was not able to do on the Pas kits save for the bike brand.

«I love racing here in the US and so that is what I’ll stick to. Whether others believe in me or not, will not determine how well I do. I know what I have to give, I know what it will take to be at the pointy end, and by golly I’m gonna do it.»

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On the opposite side of the spectrum, her PAS Racing teammate from this season, Morgan Aguirre, was accepted into the series for the first time. After road racing a few years with Fount Cycling Guild, she moved from Seattle, Washington to Spain three years ago and has enjoyed success with gravel racing, winning The Hills and Monaco Gravel Race and earning a third-place overall in the Gravel Earth Series for a second season.

«Really excited about it. I can honestly say it feels like hearing about college applications, I was that nervous,» Morgan Aguirre told Cyclingnews about earning one of 22 invitations for the Grand Prix this week.

«Being accepted into the Life Time Grand Prix feels like a ‘homecoming’ of sorts — having started racing gravel over in Europe. I am very excited to be able to test myself amongst the very best back in the US. The Life Time Grand Prix has been a goal since I started racing, but the timing never felt right and I never felt ready. It’s a series that takes 110% commitment and I’m beyond excited to be in a place where I can give it exactly that.»

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• Seven stand-out stories that made their mark on the 2025 gravel season
• Life Time Grand Prix 2025

She told Cyclingnews in October that her goal was to race the Life Time Grand Prix, as it would give her the opportunity to move back to the US. She had only three US blocks of racing in the past two seasons, last year going fourth at Oregon Trail Gravel and CORE4, plus 13th at Lauf Gravel Worlds, which counted for points in the GES.

«It’s like a homecoming,» she said. «It’s weird having started my [gravel] cycling career in Europe. Now I feel it’s time to come back and race some Americans. It [LTGP] requires your full commitment.»

She said she would still travel back and forth between Europe and US, but could live with family in Park City, Utah for altitude training and spend larger chunks of time in the US for all six Life Time events as well as races she’d like to try, like The Growler and The Mid South.

Wildcard hunts for men

US riders Dylan Johnson and Russell Finsterwald have been part of the Grand Prix since it launched in 2022, but their streaks ended with news on Tuesday. Johnson said he would focus on «wildcarding my way in next year».

«After four years in Life Time Grand Prix, I didn’t make the cut this time around, and that’s a good thing,» Johnson wrote on Instagram.

«We’re talking about a professional sport here, and I’m not owed anything. The LTGP made a commitment to a merit based selection process which is exactly what they should do. My results weren’t good enough, and it’s as simple as that. I don’t think I would have felt amazing about getting a pity spot anyway, especially if that meant taking a spot from a more deserving rider.

«If I should have made it back in, then I can prove it by wildcarding my way in next year. Does that mean I feel fine about it? Fuck no. I’m devastated by how this year has gone.»

His year included a missed chance to perform at Unbound Gravel due to recovery from a broken tibia, suffered when a drifter of a truck hit him on a training ride. Fellow competitor Payson McElveen suffered a hip fracture earlier at Sea Otter Classic and also missed Unbound. However, results mattered, as McElveen finished 11th in the series and Johnson finished 19th, with McElveen getting a coveted invite.

After three top 6 finishes out of four seasons, Finsterwald was not included as a returning rider for 2026.

«I did apply and while I’m not fully surprised I didn’t make it, I’m a little bummed. I hoped being a former winner of a LTGP round, top 5 finisher and top 5 contender in the first 3 editions would’ve helped my case despite a lackluster 2025 campaign, but no luck,» he told Cyclingnews.

«I do understand and respect LTGP’s decision and plan to fight for one of the wild card spots. I’ve been making a lot of changes this off season which I feel will be conducive to getting me back to the best version of myself, and I look forward to proving I deserve to be apart of the series at Sea Otter and Unbound!»

This last season, Life Time introduced the wildcard entry system, based on results from opening rounds at Sea Otter Classic Gravel and Unbound Gravel 200. Two of the seven participants will be back in 2026 — Cameron Jones and Andrew L’Esperance.

Jones, who made several trips from New Zealand to rise to the Unbound Gravel 200 victory and then the Grand Prix overall championship, earned automatic qualification to the 2026 series. Once L’Esperance earned his way back for a fourth Grand Prix with a wildcard, the Canadian went on to finish seventh overall, his second top 10 in four years.

The wildcard battle will begin anew for Newsom, Johnson and many others on April 16 at the Sea Otter Classic Gravel in Monterey, California.

The 10-rider elite women’s podium for 2025 Life Time Grand Prix (Image credit: Life Time) Jump to:

• Roster

The majority of the field for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix was announced today by organisers Life Time, confirming 44 of the final 50 berths in the invitation-only US collection of off-road races.

The women’s roster includes seven new riders, including the top three finishers from the 2025 Gravel Earth Series — overall winner and former Unbound 200 champion Rosa Klöser of Germany, GES silver medalist Karolina Migoń of Poland and USA’s Morgan Aguirre. After a year away from the Grand Prix, three-time US gravel champion Lauren Stephens returns to the mix.

Sofía Gómez Villafañe has been part of the field all five years and will try to hold the overall title for a fourth time. One surprising absence from the start list is 2022 Grand Prix champion Haley Smith, who finished 15th overall this past year.

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There are nine new contestants on the men’s side, including 2024 Gravel Earth Series winner Simen Nordahl Svendsen of Norway and The Traka 360 runner-up Jan Stöckli of Switzerland and reigning European Mountain Bike Champion Andreas Seewald of Germany.

Newly-crowned men’s champion Cameron Jones of New Zealand returns to battle with three-time champion and marathon mountain bike world champion Keegan Swenson of USA. After three top 6 finishes out of four seasons, Russell Finsterwald was not included as a returning rider for 2026.

From U23 competitions this past year, Ruth Holcomb will be part of the women’s field and Griffin Hoppin will be part of the men’s field.

A total of 25 women and 25 men will comprise the final field, with three wildcard spots filled in each elite division after qualification is met from Sea Otter Gravel and Unbound Gravel 200. Life Time has the option to add additional wildcard spots if any selected athlete withdraws before July 1, 2026.

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“The 2025 Life Time Grand Prix was one of the most competitive and exciting seasons we’ve witnessed to date, but 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger. The roster we’ve assembled is set to take the series to another level, with an unparalleled depth of talent,» Michelle Duffy Smith, executive director for the series and vice president of marketing for Life Time, said in a press release.

“With a record $590,000 prize purse up for grabs, expanded live coverage and additional benefits to support series athletes, we’re proud to see the Life Time Grand Prix attract top talent from around the world and continue to elevate the sport to a new level.”

Season five marks the next chapter of the Life Time Grand Prix marked by a record $350,000 equal-pay prize purse for the top 10 men and women in the series, the top riders earning $50,000 each. There’s more prize money for individual races, bringing the total to $590,000. A new professional finisher compensation offer will reward any athlete beyond the top 10 who completes the full LTGP season (minimum of three finishes) with $2,500.

Beyond the prize money, riders in the invitation-only field are provided complimentary registration to all six LTGP races, complimentary registration to other Life Time-owned events (excluding Leadville Stage Race), and access to Life Time clubs.

The application process opened October 27, just nine days after the conclusion of the fourth edition of the series, with winners determined after Big Sugar Classic in Bentonville, Arkansas. Villafane wrapped up her third title with wins at Little Sugar Gravel and Big Sugar Classic, both held in Bentonville. Jones began the season among wildcard contenders and rose to the men’s victory with fifth place at Big Sugar.

Get unlimited access to all of our coverage of the 2026 rounds of the Life Time Grand Prix and all the leading gravel races around the world — including breaking news, interviews and analysis as the action unfolds. Find out more.

Life Time Grand Prix 2026 initial roster

Elite Women (age and nation)

• Morgan Aguirre, 32, USA
• Lauren De Crescenzo, 35, USA
• Cecily Decker, 27, USA
• Maude Farrell, 34, USA
• Sofía Gómez Villafañe, 31, Argentina
• Stella Hobbs, 32, USA
• Ruth Holcomb, 22, USA
• Rosa Klöser, 29, Germany
• Sarah Lange, 34, USA
• Emma Langley, 30, USA
• Cecile Lejeune, 27, France
• Karolina Migoń, 29, Poland
• Paige Onweller, 36, USA
• Hannah Otto, 30, USA
• Hayley Preen, 27, South Africa
• Melisa Rollins, 30, USA
• Ruby Ryan, 24, USA
• Samara Sheppard, 35, New Zealand
• Courtney Sherwell, 37, Australia
• Alexis Skarda, 36, USA
• Lauren Stephens, 39, USA
• Sarah Sturm, 36, USA

Elite Men (age and nation)

• Matthew Beers, 31, South Africa
• Zach Calton, 28, USA
• Cobe Freeburn, 24, USA
• Griffin Hoppin, 22, USA
• Brendan Johnston, 34, Australia
• Cameron Jones, 25, New Zealand
• Andrew L’Esperance, 34, Canada
• Bradyn Lange, 26, USA
• Payson McElveen, 32, USA
• Simen Nordahl Svendsen, 26, Norway
• Kyan Olshove, 23, USA
• Cole Paton, 28, USA
• Simon Pellaud, 33, Switzerland
• Marc Pritzen, 26, South Africa
• Torbjørn Røed, 28, Norway
• Andreas Seewald, 34, Germany
• Felix Stehli, 25, Switzerland
• Anton Stensby, 24, Norway
• Jan Stöckli, 26, Switzerland
• Caleb Swartz, 26, USA
• Keegan Swenson, 31, USA
• Alexey Vermeulen, 31, USA

Ruth Holcomb and Griffin Hoppin on the podium as U23 overall winners at 2025 Life Time Grand Prix (Image credit: Life Time)

Ruth Holcomb and Griffin Hoppin didn’t just add their names to the confirmed guest list for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix with their performances this year, but have also marked themselves out as riders that could deliver a solid challenge to many of their rivals in the elite standings next year.

Even before the final invitations have been issued for 2026, the duo solidified their spots for the fifth season by winning the inaugural under-23 competitions in the six-race off-road series this season. Holcomb made a huge statement by sweeping up four race victories as the top U23 woman, while Hoppin earned highest finishes three times for U23 men.

Both delivered strong results at Little Sugar MTB in Bentonville, Arkansas, the penultimate round of the Grand Prix, crossing the line as the first U23 Life Time Grand Prix riders and in the process confirming their titles. Holcomb did that by going fifth among the elite field and Hoppin 12th.

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• Lauren De Crescenzo wins fourth Rad Dirt Fest while Cole Davis takes surprise victory; Unbound Gravel lottery and BWR registrations open soon

Both also started Big Sugar Classic, which was mandatory, but for them results didn’t matter for the final standings.

«Little Sugar is what secured the overall for me and got my spot in the big Grand Prix. I got three wins now, plus third place, and then the two drops,» Hoppin told Cyclingnews with a big smile after Big Sugar.

«Today was more seeing if I could mix it up, you know, nothing to lose, just everything in the game. But I’m happy enough. I think I’m ready to go to the off-season and build for next year.»

Hoppin was the best-placed finisher for U23 men at the season-opening Sea Otter Gravel, then placed fourth in Unbound Gravel 100. The Colorado College 22-year-old was dominant in his ‘home race’ at Leadville Trail 100 MTB, slotting in as the youngest rider in the top 20 as he rode for Dirt Camp Racing team. Those early results helped send him toward the final part of the season in a strong position.

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«I did what I needed to do. I think my head was still a little in the off-season, but I’m happy with being able to stay in the race for the most part until the very end,» he said after crossing the line as the fourth-best U23 rider that day in the weather-shortened route at Big Sugar.

«It feels like I’m closing the gap to the top guys, and I’ll be in the proper Grand Prix next year, so I’m excited about that.»

From road to gravel riches

Meanwhile, Holcomb missed the series opener at the Sea Otter Classic Gravel but went on to sweep the next four races as the best-placed U23 woman at Unbound Gravel, Leadville, Chequamegon MTB and Little Sugar. She was happy to perform well at three consecutive mountain bike events, which helped her overcome a challenge by Alexandra Charles, who finished second for U23 women.

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• Lauren De Crescenzo wins fourth Rad Dirt Fest while Cole Davis takes surprise victory; Unbound Gravel lottery and BWR registrations open soon

«I’m pretty good on a mountain bike, and I’m on good form right now. I’ve had a good series,» she told Cyclingnews at the Big Sugar after-party where she collected her prize. «Honestly, I was top three in the U23, which I knew was doable, and then had a really good race [at Little Sugar], and ended up winning [the overall] here.»

Her DNF at the the hazardous weather shortened Big Sugar therefore didn’t matter, as all she needed to do was hit the start line to claim the U23 series.

«It’s super cool,» said Holcomb of the overall win. «I’m excited about the opportunity, and it’s really nice to have that confirmed for the next year. So it’s gonna be super awesome.»

A native of Durango, Colorado, Holcomb joined the Santa Cruz htSQD off-road team this season and made her gravel debut at BMC Rock Cobbler in California, where she attends UC Santa Barbara. That 73-mile adventure in February with 9,200 feet of climbing was her gravel debut, and she won. Once she hit the Grand Prix circuit at the end of May, she never looked back.

«I raced road for a couple years, and raced mountain bike before that, so I have a variety of experience. Today [at Big Sugar] was almost like a road race. So it’s definitely been super helpful to know how the road tactics were,» she said about having two seasons with the Virginia’s Blue Ridge-TWENTY24 programme.

But she almost gave up racing last winter. Then she decided to try some long-distance off-road racing with a new team, the htSQD.

«At this time last year I had decided I was done bike racing for good until I got the opportunity to give endurance racing a go with the htSQD. I really don’t think I could’ve ever imagined how great this opportunity would be for me.

«I really have the best team ever. I mean, Keegan [Swenson], Tobin [Ortenblad], Alexis [Skarda], they’ve really just been so helpful this year, and I’ve learned so much. They’re proud of me, and have really supported me. So I’m really happy with how the year has gone and how my team has been,» she said.

Next year Holcomb and Hoppin step up to the elite competitions, which means going from Unbound Gravel 100 to 200. They will also be eligible for the elevated prize money on offer for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix that is now $590,000, of which the top 10 in the elite field will share in a $350,000 purse, and individual prize money at the six events will range from $30,000 to $60,000.

(Image credit: Zwift) Jump to:

• In brief
• In detail: USA
• In detail: UK
• In detail: EU

Daylight saving clock changing arrives in the US on the 2nd of November, and the return of the dark nights has already landed in the UK over the weekend. This, for many, means indoor riding is back, and to mark the dreaded dark nights, it’s indoor cycling week here at Cyclingnews.

Our indoor training hub has all the best advice to get the most out of your indoor training this winter, from selecting the best smart trainers to a rundown of the best indoor cycling apps.

Zwift is the market leader when it comes to indoor cycling, and we have an exclusive Zwift ‘Clock Change’ offer on one of the best smart trainers on the market – the Wahoo Kickr Core 2 with Zwift Cog and Click.

Right now, and until November 9th, you can grab a huge 20% off the Kickr Core, which equates to a brilliant $110/£100/€110 reduction. It’s also the cheapest the latest Kickr Core has ever been.

In our Wahoo Kickr Core 2 review, we scored it with an impressive 4.5 out of 5-star score, and it’s made even better when paired with the Zwift Cog and Click tech, which makes for effortless set-up and seamless, quiet virtual shifting and in-game navigation.

Below you’ll find the exclusive Zwift deal for your territory. There’s no code to enter, just hit the ‘view deal’ link and the discounted 20% off price will appear. It’s worth noting that from our experience, the ‘discount’ price takes around 5-10 seconds to show up once you land on the Zwift website, so don’t panic if it immediately shows at full price.

The deals in brief

• USA Pricing
  • 20% off Wahoo Kickr Core 2 with Zwift Cog and Click: $549.99 $439.99
• UK Pricing
  • 20% off Wahoo Kickr Core 2 with Zwift Cog and Click: £499.99 £399.99
• EU pricing
  • 20% off Wahoo Kickr Core 2 with Zwift Cog and Click: €549.99 €439.99

The USA deal in detail

ExclusiveSave 20%Wahoo Kickr Core 2: was $549.99 now $439.99 at Zwift

This is an exclusive deal we’ve struck with Zwift, reserved for Cyclingnews readers only.

It brings the price of the recently-launched Kickr Core 2, complete with universally compatible Zwift Cog and virtual-shifter Click, down to $439.99.

There’s no code, just hit the ‘view deal’ link and you should be served the correct price. The ‘discount’ price takes a few seconds to show up once you land on the Zwift website, so don’t panic if it immediately shows at full price.

View Deal

The UK deal in detail

ExclusiveSave 20%Wahoo Kickr Core 2: was £499.99 now £399.99 at Zwift

This is an exclusive deal we’ve struck with Zwift, reserved for Cyclingnews readers only.

It brings the already-good-value price of £499.99 down by 20% — or £100 — to just £399.99. This includes the Zwift Cog, which replaces a traditional cassette to enable universal compatibility across Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo, no matter how many gears your bike has. It also includes Zwift Click, which converts your bike to virtual shifting when riding in Zwift.

View Deal

The EU deal in detail

ExclusiveSave 20%Wahoo Kickr Core 2: was €549.99 now €439.99 at Zwift

This is an exclusive deal we’ve struck with Zwift, reserved for Cyclingnews readers only.

It brings the already-good-value price of €549.99 down by 15% to just €439.99.

View Deal

The ‘Clock Changing’ sale ends on November 9th at 11:59 pm, so act fast if you want to avoid missing out on this exclusive Zwift deal.

With that said, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner, and we’d expect other Zwift deals to land then. The Black Friday weekend runs this year from November 28th to December 1st, so be sure to check out our Black Friday deals hub for more.

Cameron Jones (left) leads bunch sprint for fifth place at Big Sugar Classic, earning points for overall elite men’s title at 2025 Life Time Grand Prix (Image credit: Life Time) Jump to:

• Life Time Grand Prix 2026 series calendar

It’s not just the elevation that is high at some of the events in the US-based Life Time Grand Prix off-road series, but now the prize money on offer for 2026 has been raised to $590,000. The record-setting pool of prize money includes a 75% boost in series payouts for the top 10, now $350,000.

In addition, double the prize money will be offered at Unbound Gravel 200 and Leadville Trail 100 MTB, each race worth $60,000 for the top five, with all prizes split evenly among women and men.

Life Time, the wellness brand with fitness facilities and now ownership of more than 30 athletic events, launched the gender-equal Grand Prix in 2022 with a combination of gravel and mountain bike races across the US. The prize purse was $250,000 for an invitation-only field of 60 athletes in the debut of the series. For a fifth edition, Life Time has boosted the prize structure, refined the selection process for a field of 50 riders and added incentives for athletes.

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«We’re very proud of how far the Life Time Grand Prix has advanced in just four seasons, with 2026 reflecting our elevated and ongoing commitment to professional off-road cycling,» said Kimo Seymour, Life Time president of media and events.

«With the expanded prize purse, a more structured and performance-based selection process, and our investment in athlete development through the U23 program, we’ve created an unparalleled platform that both acknowledges and rewards the most dedicated and accomplished riders in the sport.”

The most striking modifications are the hefty chunks of money for individual race and overall series prize purses, with $50,000 paid to the top woman and top man with the best scores across five of the six series events, each podium dividing $175,000.

Sofia Gomez Villafañe (Specialized Off-road) won her third Grand Prix title a week ago after back-to-back wins at Little Sugar and Big Sugar, while Cameron Jones (Scott-Shimano) knocked three-time men’s champion Keegan Swenson (Santa Cruz htSQD) off the top spot, the New Zealander surging from a wild card entry he earned by winning Unbound Gravel 200.

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A new $2,500 professional finisher compensation will be offered in 2026 for athletes outside the top 10. Life Time said this was added «recognizing the commitment required throughout the season» to athletes who finished at least three series events.

The calendar remains the same as this past season, with three gravel races and three mountain bike races, the opening round April 16, 2026 at Sea Otter Classic Gravel in California. Sea Otter, Chequamegon MTB Fest, Little Sugar MTB and Big Sugar Classic will each maintain a $30,000 prize purse, while Unbound Gravel 200 and Leadville Trail 100 MTB will each feature $60,000 in prize money. These individual race prize purses will be allocated to the top-five women’s and men’s finishers in each event, regardless of whether they are competing in the Life Time Grand Prix.

Additional benefits for Grand Prix participants include complimentary race registrations, for both the elites and U23 riders, complimentary entry to other Life Time events nationwide (including Crusher in the Tushar, Silver Rush 50), media exposure with live broadcasts of four events (Sea Otter Classic Gravel, UNBOUND Gravel 200, Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Big Sugar Gravel) and access to Life Time facilities across North America.

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• Life Time Grand Prix 2025
• Gravel Races 2025
• Live start-to-finish streaming on tap for Big Sugar Gravel as final event in Life Time Grand Prix to decide $200,000 payout to series top 10

So how does an athlete earn an invitation to the Life Time Grand Prix? The selection process begins Monday, October 27 with applications accepted through November 5.

A total of 25 women and 25 men will comprise the field again, with the top five overall finishers from 2025 receiving automatic entries, as well as the top under-23 woman and man. Ten women and men will become eligible for the U23 competition after Unbound Gravel.

On November 11, 2025, athlete selections will be announced from the application process, with three wildcard spots set aside in each division for qualification after Unbound 200.

Get unlimited access to all of our coverage of the Life Time Grand Prix and other global gravel events — including breaking news, interviews and analysis reported by our journalists throughout the year. Find out more.

Life Time Grand Prix 2026 series calendar

• Thursday, April 16 — Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel, Monterey, California
• Saturday, May 30 — Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano, Emporia, Kansas
• Saturday, August 15 — Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik, Leadville, Colorado
• Saturday, September 19 — Life Time Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival, Cable, Wisconsin
• Sunday, October 11 — Life Time Little Sugar MTB, Bentonville, Arkansas
• Saturday, October 17 — Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Kenetik, Bentonville, Arkansas

Hatherly earlier in the season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mountain Bike World Champion Alan Hatherly has said he’s playing the «long game» when it comes to his WorldTour career on the road, not wanting to rush into the discipline after joining Jayco AlUla at the start of the season.

Hatherly got his WT road career off to a bang in 2025 after impressing throughout the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia, where he finished third and second on the key climbing days and sixth overall as a fellow multi-discipline star, Tom Pidcock (Q36.5), rode to victory.

Since then, there hasn’t been too much to shout about in terms of road results, with a national time trial title in South Africa being the other highlight, but Hatherly has learned a lot about which skills he needs to develop and adapt over from his excellence on the MTB.

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«It’s been a good mix, even though I’ve been really unlucky this year, with a lot of illness and challenges along the way. But I’ve learned a lot and gained a lot of experience, which was really the main objective on the road for me,» Hatherly told Cyclingnews at the Tour of Guangxi.

«I think we can really target the road a bit more next year, and we know where to make the improvements and hopefully we have a better year next year.»

He’s mixed the two disciplines well without seemingly any detriment to his off-road career, shown best by the defense of his cross-country Olympic world title in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, but also his win at the Lenzerheide World Cup to close out the season.

Although there hasn’t been a specific learning curve for Hatherly riding in the WorldTour peloton, he has been able to identify the metric which he believes will put him within striking distance for road races in the coming season and at the Tour of Guangxi.

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«It’s not too much I’ve learned from the peloton, it’s more about the preparation. The racing in the peloton is pretty full-on all the time, and I think fatigue resistance is the key thing,» said the South African.

«Obviously for me, coming from MTB where the duration needed is 90 minutes, so VO2 max pretty much, whereas here it’s four to five hours on a solid tempo threshold, and it’s about being able to deliver in that last hour where it’s quite difficult – that’s where all the races are exploding and there’s very few guys making it nowadays.»

Hatherly had respect for what Pidcock, whose best results have mostly come in MTB, has managed to do in 2025, finishing third on GC at the Vuelta a España, but did point out how much of the off-road discipline the Brit has cut out of his schedule to do so.

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«I think he made a big jump this year and if you look back on what did on the MTB, he didn’t do too much,» said Hatherly, with Pidcock having only raced the European Championships and World Cup in Pal Arinsal this year – both of which, he won.

«Each discipline needs to be respected and you really need to commit to each for whatever goal it is, and I think for me, I juggled a bit of both to get experience on the road and really target the MTB Worlds, and I think I managed to do just that.

«If I’m going to do more on the road, I’m really going to have to just focus on the road to do something there. But I think it’s a progression, I don’t want to focus on it too early and lose my mountain biking completely so I think it’s just a balancing act at the minute and about playing the long game.»

In China, Hatherly is Jayco’s co-leader alongside Brit Paul Double, with the pair sat 38 and 40 seconds off the lead of Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) as the queen stage 5 arrives on Saturday. After finishing off his MTB races for 2025, he raced two Italian Classics in preparation, and was eager to get stuck into the hardest stage of the race.

«I’m coming off of quite good MTB shape, so I’ve transferred a bit of that to the road in the short time I had,» said Hatherly.

«I had some good Italian Classics in preparation for this and it’s my first time here, so I think the motivation and excitement is quite high. I’m looking forward to the rest of the week, at the moment it’s all sprint stages, so I’m ready for some hills now.

«Me and Paul Double are the leaders here, and I think the fifth stage with the kind of 10-minute-ish climb that suits both of us well will be key, so we’ll survive the days in between and really target that fifth stage as I think everyone else will.»

Samara Maxwell and Christopher Blevins with the red jersey of the series leader and number 1 plate during the 2025 Whoop UCI Mountain Bike World Series (Image credit: Getty Images) Jump to:

• Results

Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing) and Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) were awarded the 2025 Mountain Bike World Cup (XCO) cross-country overall series titles as the competition wrapped up at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec, Canada, on Sunday.

Blevins had already secured the overall men’s elite XCO victory before the final round, finishing 23rd on the day as Charlie Aldridge (Cannondale Factory Racing) claimed his maiden World Cup victory and gave the crowd a home-nation victor.

“I’ve been working towards an XCO win my whole career. This year I’ve been close a couple of times, so to finish it off like this is unreal,» said Aldridge.

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“The last two laps were full gas, I was cramping up, everybody was cramping up. It was just a battle of attrition. Towards the top of the climb I could see I was getting a bit of a gap, so on the last lap I was just going full gas to get to the finish. I made it.»

Martin Vidaurre (Specialized Factory Racing) was second and Mathis Azzaro (Origine Racing Division) third in Mont-Sainte-Anne.

In the women’s elite race series winner Maxwell finished in second place behind World Champion Jenny Rissveds (Canyon CLLCTV XCO) while Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon) was third.

That runner-up spot was enough to ensure that Maxwell became the first rider from New Zealand to win the prestigious overall series title.

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«I think about how much pressure, as athletes, we go through and how much stress we put ourselves through, and we had 11 races this year, including the World Championships, and I was on the podium for ten of those. I think about how much stress I went through for that. The season has been incredible, and there has been so much belief in me, and the team has been incredible,» Maxwell said in an emotional post-race interview.

Asked about what she did to remain consistent across the 11 races of the UCI Mountain Bike Series, Maxwell added, «Making it through our moments of doubt is what. As athletes, we race and we show up and we’ve got some willingness to experience that discomfort,» she said.

«To stay consistent was about trusting my own process and training with my coach, team, and my recovery and nutrition. There are so many aspects, and so it is easy to doubt yourself. Listening to the people around me, who supported me, was the main thing.»

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Rissveds claimed the second spot in the series, finishing with 2,250 points, just 91 points behind the winning tally of Maxwell who secured 2,341 points. In Mont-Sainte-Anne on Sunday, The world champion narrowed the gap to Maxwell by delivering another dominant victory in the cross-country race, after also winning the short track event on Friday.

This time around, she opened an early lead on the first lap and then covered the next six laps in a winning time of 1:20:35, setting a new win record, previously set by Pauline Ferrand-Prévot.

She crossed the line 3:30 ahead of Maxwell and 4:07 ahead of third-place and short track series winner Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing), and 4:12 ahead of fourth-place Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing).

«I don’t know. This is the first time that I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say,» Rissveds said. «I was really tired toward the end of the race, and I felt it in my legs. I was just focused on the course today. I think it’s a cool course, and a proper mountain bike, and they kept the heart of the course, which was nice. I was flowing and I just tried to enjoy it. I had no plan today. I just wanted to ride good flow, and as always, do my own race, and it worked out.»

In the women’s U23 category Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek) claimed victory in her home XCO round, adding to her short track win, with Valentina Corvi (Canyon CLLCTV XCO) taking the series victory. In the men’s U23 race Finn Treudler (Cube Factory Racing) continued his scorching run, adding the XCO victory to his short track win in Mont Sainte Anne, with the rider having already claimed the series wins in both.

“I’m just super happy to finish it off in this way, it has just been a fantastic season,» said Treudler.

Results

Jenny Rissveds and Evie Richards at the Whoop UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Mont-Sainte-Anne 2025 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Jenny Rissveds (Canyon CLLCTV XCO) and Luca Martin (Cannondale Factory Racing) swept up the victories at the final short track (XCC) round of the 2025 Whoop UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Mont-Sainte-Anne.

Rissveds was dominant in the women’s race , crossing the line with an 18 second advantage, while Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing-Pirelli) came second ahead of Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing).

That runner-up spot in the final round of XCC racing was enough for Richards to secure the overall short track series win, with the British rider finishing the year with a 110 point lead to Rissveds while Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon) was third.

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• UCI MTB World Championships: Sweden’s Jenny Rissveds earns first world title going solo in women’s elite XCO contest

“I’m so happy. It has been such a turbulent year,» said Richards who needed to finish in the top eight to secure the overall.

«When I didn’t race in Italy, I didn’t care about the overall. I just wanted to get healthy and once I’m healthy I could then fight again. The fact I missed that, got healthy and still got it is just amazing. I’m very excited.»

In the men’s short track the Cannondale duo of Martin and Charlie Aldridge were out front with Adrien Boichis (Specialized Factory Racing) in the final stages of the race after Aldridge had pushed the pace and caused a split on the second-last lap.

A tight battle on the final climb put Martin on the front foot and British rider Aldridge let the gap grow so his teammate could ride away to victory. He then made it a one-two for the team by claiming second ahead of Boichis.

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“It’s so nice to win here in Mont-Sainte-Anne because it’s very special,» said the French victor at the Canadian race in the French speaking province of Quebec.

«Charlie [Aldridge] helped me a lot, he rode on the front and today we played for the win. We worked super-well together. I think the sport is changing and we need to ride with a team-mate for the win. I think we did it perfectly today.”

Christopher Blevins (Specialized Factory Racing) was the overall short-track series victor – having claimed the top spot before Mont-Sainte-Anne – while Martin was second in the series and Aldridge third.

In the Under 23 category Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek) took the win on the day in front of the home crowd while the women’s XCC series winner was Katharina Sadnik (KTM Factory MTB Team).

Finn Treudler (Cube Factory Racing) continued his domination of the men’s U23 category, taking an impressive seventh win in a row as he also claimed the overall XCC series win.

Sepp Kuss (centre in black) takes part in the ‘Sepp It Up’ Bike Parade in Durango on September 26, with US mountain bike champion Riley Amos (second from right) in attendance (Image credit: @DelaneyO’Connor)

The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships return to Durango, Colorado in 2030, which will mark the 40th anniversary of the first-ever global contests for MTB disciplines were held in the same US mountain town in 1990.

During the Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda last week, the UCI announced host venues for mountain bike world championships spanning 2029 to 2031. Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, will host the 2029 MTB Worlds, with Durango following as the host in the US the next year. In 2031, the MTB competitions will be part of the third edition of the Cycling World Championships for multiple disciplines, hosted by Trentino in north-eastern Italy.

The town of Durango held a ‘Sepp It Up’ bike parade and film premiere with hometown hero and 2023 Vuelta a España winner Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) on Friday, the day following the UCI’s announcement for the return of MTB Worlds to the Colorado mountain town. Other notable cyclists and community leaders on hand to celebrate the return of the world championships in five years included Durango native and three-time US Olympian in mountain biking, Todd Wells, three-time US mountain bike national champion Riley Amos, and Iron Horse Classic director Gaige Sippy.

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“We are beyond proud to announce the Worlds’ return to Durango 40 years after we pioneered the event in 1990,” said Wells, a co-leader for the championships bid.

“Mountain biking and cycling are woven into Durango’s DNA; from our pioneering spirit to the incredible trail infrastructure and our renowned junior-development programming, Durango is a true heartland of cycling. The 2030 World Championships will enable us to showcase our community on a global stage once again.”

World titles will be decided in 2030 at Purgatory Resort, the same venue used in 1990. Only cross-country and downhill disciplines were part of the first Worlds that year, with Durango residents Ned Overend and Greg Herbold winning men’s titles in XCO and downhill, respectively. USA’s Juli Furtado won the women’s XCO title.

Durango is prominent in cycling as a 55-year host for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic road race and for establishing one of the country’s first junior development cycling organizations, Durango Devo, where Kuss started racing bikes.

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“Hosting the 2030 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships is both a tribute to our past and an investment in our future. The world’s best will once again race on trails that continue to build legends right here in our backyard,» added Sippy, who also served as a co-leader in the winning bid.

Leading into the 2030 MTB Worlds, Durango will also host a major international mountain bike race in 2028, according to a USA Cycling press release, and a UCI World Cup race in 2029. These events will also be held at Purgatory Resort and will include Downhill, Cross Country Olympic, Short Track and Ebike.

Additional details on event routes, community programs, and ticketing will be announced in the coming months.