'Talent pool is deep' on wildcard roster revealed for 2026 Life Time Grand Prix which includes former champion Haley Smith and Dutch veteran Piotr Havik

The wildcard roster for this year’s Life Time Grand Prix was revealed today, a total of 27 women and 59 men making the cut by organisers to capture six spots, three for women and three for men, in the main field.

The first race of the series takes place on Thursday, April 16, in Monterey, California, at Sea Otter Classic Gravel. The decisive race for wildcard positions will be Unbound Gravel 200, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Emporia, Kansas.

Among an ensemble cast of former Grand Prix contenders seeking to regain entry into the off-road series are 2022 LTGP champion Haley Smith of Canada, and several US riders who competed at least twice before in the series – Emily Newsom, who was fifth overall in 2022, and Jenna Rinehart, who was sixth overall in 2023. Danni Shrosbree of Great Britain, who competed twice before in the series, is back in the mix, as well.

USA’s Russell Finsterwald was the most notable absence from the men’s 2026 roster, as he finished sixth or better in the first three seasons. Last year, he tied for 13th and now finds himself among the wildcard battle. Other pro men looking to get back include Belgium’s Lawrence Naesen, who did not complete the series last year, Canadian Adam Roberge, who finished seventh overall in 2022, and USA’s Alex Wild, who was seventh overall in 2024.

There are 31 riders from outside the US vying for a share in the $350,000 overall series prize purse, including Dutch riders Piotr Havik, who was second overall in the 2025 Gravel Earth Series, and Mathijs Loman, a two-time winner at UCI Gravel World Series events. Among the international selections for women moving from road to gravel are 2025 New Zealand criterium champion Charlotte Clarke and former Mexican road race champion Anet Barrera.

Last November, Life Time confirmed selections for the upcoming fifth edition of the series, 22 women and 22 men accepting the invitations. An additional three spots in each pro division will be handed out based on performances of designated wildcards at the opening two events in the series – Life Time Sea Otter Classic and Life Time Unbound Gravel presented by Shimano. The rules remain the same as last year, with all wildcard athletes required to compete at both events.

“The Wild Card selection has quickly become one of the most anticipated elements of the Life Time Grand Prix, and the calibre of the 2026 roster reflects the incredible depth we’re seeing in off-road cycling today,” said Kimo Seymour,…

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‘Talent pool is deep’ on wildcard roster revealed for 2026 Life Time Grand Prix which includes former champion Haley Smith and Dutch veteran Piotr Havik

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