Gravel Takes the Lead: Sea Otter Switch Signals Balanced Future for Life Time Grand Prix

By PRO Gravel Staff - Photography courtesy of Life Time Grand Prix (credit Wil Matthews)

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Monterey, California — Monday, April 7

The 2025 Life Time Grand Prix season kicks off with a bold change: the Sea Otter Classic, long the mountain bike curtain-raiser, is now a full-on gravel race. It’s the first major shakeup in what’s shaping up to be the series’ most progressive and competitive year yet.

The move marks a turning point. With Sea Otter going gravel and the new Little Sugar MTB joining the back half of the calendar, the Grand Prix now hits a true 50/50 split between gravel and mountain bike—a shift that brings new balance, new strategy, and new contenders.

But the changes go deeper than terrain. Life Time is introducing a Wild Card competition, giving six athletes—three men and three women—the opportunity to race their way into the Grand Prix mid-season. Here’s how it works: riders not originally selected for the series can throw down at both Sea Otter and UNBOUND Gravel, and the top combined performers across those two events will be awarded full entry into the points-based championship.

It’s a second-chance pipeline into the biggest off-road series in North America—and the stakes are real.

Also launching this year is a dedicated U23 program, built to spotlight rising talent aged 18–22. Young riders will get the chance to line up with the pros across the full season, with the top U23 man and woman locking in a spot for the 2026 Grand Prix.

And with a record-breaking $380,000 on the line—split evenly between men and women across individual races and the overall—2025 is all about opportunity, access, and evolution.

This what Life Time Grand Prix head honcho President of Media and Events Komi Seymour had to say: “Our amazing team has been hard at work planning the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix and we’re counting down the days until the Series gets underway at Sea Otter Classic Gravel. We’re looking forward to seeing how these world-class riders fare on the newly revamped gravel course, as well as how the addition of our Wild Card and U23 Programs will bring more opportunities and excitement to the racing.”

“We’re taking the Life Time Grand Prix to a new level this year - elevating its profile with gravel and mountain bike fans, both in the US and around the world - and we can’t wait to get going.”

A new format, a more open field, and a perfectly balanced calendar. The 2025 Life Time Grand Prix is here—and it’s off to a gritty, gravel-churning start in Monterey.

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Our man Chris Mehlman will be on the ground at Sea Otter, bringing you regular updates from the expo and the race scene. Follow along across our Meta socials for real-time coverage, behind-the-scenes stories, and all the race-day vibes from Monterey.