Life Time is investing in the future for 2025 by launching the Life Time Grand Prix U23 Development Program. Its a new initiative aimed at cultivating the next generation of elite off-road cyclists, while hoping to add dimension to the dwindled 2025 roaster. The program will provide young riders aged 18-22 a shot at competing alongside the sport’s biggest names, with a clear path to earning a coveted spot in the 2026 LifeTime Grand Prix.

The Program Breakdown

The U23 Development Program challenges athletes to compete in four of six marquee events within the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix series. The top male and female finishers will be awarded entry into the 2026 Grand Prix. Riders will race on a separate U23 leaderboard, with their best four results counting toward their overall standing. Two events can be dropped, but a minimum of four starts are required to qualify.

What if there’s a tie?! In case of a tie, Big Sugar Gravel will serve as the tiebreaker—though participation in that race is optional.

Here’s the full 2025 race calendar:

• Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel – April 11, 2025
• Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 – May 31, 2025
• Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB – August 9, 2025
• Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival – September 13, 2025
• Life Time Little Sugar MTB – October 12, 2025
• Life Time Big Sugar Gravel – October 18, 2025

Mentorship and Development

A standout feature of the program is mentorship. Current Life Time Grand Prix athletes will be encouraged to connect with U23 participants, offering guidance and insights gained from racing at the highest level.

“As the owner and producer of 15 off-road cycling events, Life Time is dedicated to growing the sport of cycling. We look forward to playing a direct role in this development with the launch of the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix U23 Program and providing young athletes with a platform to compete and grow at a high level.”

Kimo Seymour, President of Media and Events at Life Time.

Want to Apply? Here’s How

Interested U23 athletes must complete these steps by January 15, 2025:

1. Submit the U23 Development Program application by the deadline.
2. Meet the age requirements:
   • Minimum age: 19 by December 31, 2025
   • Maximum age: Must not turn 23 before January 1, 2026
3. Register for at least four events from the Grand Prix calendar.

For more information and application details, head to lifetimegrandprix.com.

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If you’ve ever wanted to own a bike ridden by the pros in some of the most prestigious cycling events in the world, now’s your chance. Bid on a piece of the 2024 cycling season with Own the Ride Auctions.

Starting December 6th, there will be two weeks of exclusive auctions. These auctions will offer you the opportunity to own the most elite bikes. These bikes were used in some of the world’s most prestigious cycling events. The bikes include those that were ridden by Vingegaard, van Aert, Benal, Thomas, Bardet, de Gendt, Ganna, Powless, Carapaz, Costa, Vos, and more. Not only do these bikes come with a cycling celebrity tie in, but depending on the bike, you might actually land one for a deal.

The auctions will feature bikes from many of the top riders. The bikes were used in the Grand Tours, important classics, or other season-defying moments. You can follow your favorite team and get notified as soon as an auction goes live. That way you don’t miss out on this opportunity.

There are several auctions live right now, with only 2 days left. Check those auctions here. There also seems to be an app so you can stay in the know when your favorite team bike goes live. Go here to download the app.

MatchWornShirt.com

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While pro rider team transfer news isn’t often big on our tech-focused priority list, Tom Pidcock’s move to Q36.5 Pro Cycling for the next three years brought up an interesting question.

Would he now race on all of the Scott bikes of Q36.5? Or would he somehow still race on those all-new off-road bikes that Pinarello developed especially for the multidisciplinary talent over the last few years while he raced with the INEOS Grenadiers team?

The simple answer is… why not both?

Tom Pidcock to join Q36.5 Pro Cycling and race Scott road bikes

We found out on Friday that Tom Pidcock signed with Q36.5 Pro Cycling to race for the next few years on the two-year-old Swiss UCI Pro Team. A team that is pretty much road-only as far as I know (quite similar to Ineos a few years ago, in fact). And then promptly, Scott Sports sent out a press release saying they were excited to see the 25-year-old Englishman racing on their bikes next year.

But that Friday PR burst had some curiously vague statements…

Q36.5 referred to Pidcock as “Double Olympic Champion” as their highlight, but they only mentioned a couple of road Classics. And they failed to utter any of the words: cyclocross, cross-country, or mountain bike… even though that is where Pidcock won his 2 World Championships and 2 Olympic Gold medals over the past few years.

Also, Scott’s co-CEO Pascal Ducrot was only a bit clearer, stating that they were “delighted that Tom Pidcock will be joining the team, and will be riding SCOTT road bikes and Syncros components from 2025.” Elaborating just a bit more detail, Scott reiterated that the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will ride their Foil RC, Plasma RC TT & all-new ultralight Addict RC road bikes in competition in 2025. No mention of anything off-road since that’s out of the team’s racing scope up to now.

So far, Q36.5 hasn’t shown any off-road ambitions, so Scott have not really had any reason to expand on that list. But Pidcock is clearly a different story, right?

Pidcock will actually race Scott AND Pinarello bikes in 2025

Well, today Pinarello has cleared up the matter a bit more, announcing that the “multiple world and Olympic champion [will] continue riding Pinarello’s flagship off-road bikes for the next three years.” The keywords there being ‘off-road‘ bikes.

Although team and sponsor negotiations must have been a bit more complicated than usual, it makes sense that Q36.5 & Scott were willing to make some concessions to lock in their new star rider, as they look to boost their young team and move up in the ranks of the peloton. Pidcock has shown promise on the road after all, with a 2022 Tour stage win up Alpe d’Huez, Amstel Gold & Strade Bianche.

Back off-road though, Pidcock did after all work closely with Pinarello to develop 2 completely new off-road bikes for the Italian bike maker while racing for Ineos. In fact, when he started with Ineos, he was racing on BMC bikes with blacked-out logos to keep those sponsors happy. But it looks like things might be a bit more transparent next year.

First, Pinarello created an all-new Crossista F cyclocross bike just for Pidcock. And then he proceeded to win the World Championship on it, right away.

Next, Pinarello developed an all-new Dogma XC full-suspension mountain bike just for Pidcock (and a companion XC hardtail for Ineos teammate Pauline Ferrand-Prévot). And again, Pidcock immediately rode his new cross-country bike to another World Championship title, then followed it up with an Olympic Gold medal the next summer.

He wasn’t specifically involved in their Grevil F, as far as I remember. But Pinarello notes that if Pidcock races gravel in the new 3 years, that will be his weapon of choice.

Fausto Pinarello told me in person last spring when I was test riding the new Dogma XC, that his team put a lot of time and work into developing new off-road bikes together with Tom Pidcock. So, it’s interesting to hear that this off-road bike development partnership will apparently continue, even after Pidcock joins a team sponsored by another road bike maker.

And so I’ll be paying special attention to how the new team and these two competing bike makers work it all out over the next few race seasons across road, gravel, cyclocross, and mountain bike racing. It’s certainly uncommon to see a professional athlete racing 2 different bike brands in different disciplines, when their team bike sponsor already makes absolutely top-tier race bikes across all categories.

But, I guess Tom Pidcock is an unconventional cyclist, so maybe I should be so surprised.

Q36-5ProCycling.com, Scott-Sports.com, AND Pinarello.com

Full PR texts below…

Double Olympic Champion Tom Pidcock Joins Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team

Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is proud to welcome Tom Pidcock, as he embarks on an exciting new chapter in his career. Known for his versatility and relentless drive, the 25-year-old Brit is set to bring his passion, ambition, and world-class talent to the team as they take on new challenges together.   

 Pidcock’s decision to join Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team reflects the shared vision for growth and the freedom to pursue big objectives.  Having already claimed five professional road victories, including the illustrious Strade Bianche and Amstel Gold Race, Pidcock is driven to reach even greater heights as he approaches the peak of his career.

“This isn’t just a change of jersey; it’s the start of something special,” said Pidcock. “The chance to work with a team that’s growing, with incredible partners and brands, is something that motivates me. I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together.”  

For Pidcock, this new start is not just about personal ambition; it is also about being part of a mission to elevate the team and its partners to new heights. “I know the challenge that we face getting to where we want to be but it’s an adventure and I’m excited for it,” he added.   

 Pidcock’s decision reflects the alignment of his personal goals with the team’s innovative and forward-thinking approach.    

 “We are honoured to welcome Tom Pidcock to the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team,” said Team Manager Doug Ryder. “Tom is a true embodiment of passion and competitive spirit, qualities that resonate deeply with our team’s values. His extraordinary talent, both on and off the bike, and his proven ability to win at the WorldTour level make him a game-changing addition to our roster. We look forward to writing this next chapter together.”

 Pidcock’s arrival signals an exciting new era for Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team and our partners, with plans to compete more consistently at the highest level and make its mark on the world of cycling.   

 “With his revolutionary, multi-disciplinary approach that has versatility at its heart, Tom is the perfect embodiment of our own approach to product development,” added Luigi Bergamo, Chairperson of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, Founder, and R&D Director of Q36.5. “Having Tom as part of the team offers us the opportunity not just to compete for victory at the world’s most prestigious races but also to continue to push the very boundaries of Q36.5’s vision of what the future of performance cycling clothing can be. I can’t wait to send him his first pair of Dottore bib shorts and hear what he thinks!” 

 Looking to take on new challenges, Pidcock is ready to embrace the opportunities ahead. “I love racing my bike, and I’m looking forward to making that a priority. Joining a team that believes in me and shares my vision of success makes this an incredibly important step in my career. Let’s make it happen.” 

Tom Pidcock has signed a 3-year contract and will join the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team squad in the upcoming pre-season training camp, which is set to take place in Calpe, Spain in January.

Tom Pidcock Joins Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team

SCOTT-sponsored Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is proud to welcome Tom Pidcock, as he embarks on an exciting new chapter in his career. Known for his versatility and relentless drive, the 25-year-old Brit is set to bring his passion, ambition, and world-class talent to the team as they take on new challenges together.

Pidcock’s decision to join Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team reflects the shared vision for growth and the freedom to pursue big objectives. Having already claimed five professional road victories, including the illustrious Strade Bianche and Amstel Gold Race, Pidcock is driven to reach even greater heights as he approaches the peak of his career.

“This isn’t just a change of jersey; it’s the start of something special,” said Pidcock. “The chance to work with a team that’s growing, with incredible partners and brands, is something that motivates me. I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together.”

For Pidcock, this new start is not just about personal ambition; it is also about being part of a mission to elevate the team and its partners to new heights. “I know the challenge that we face getting to where we want to be but it’s an adventure and I’m excited for it,” he added.

Pidcock’s decision reflects the alignment of his personal goals with the team’s innovative and forward-thinking approach.

“We are honoured to welcome Tom Pidcock to the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. Tom is a true embodiment of passion and competitive spirit, qualities that resonate deeply with our team’s values. His extraordinary talent, both on and off the bike, and his proven ability to win at the WorldTour level make him a game-changing addition to our roster. We look forward to writing this next chapter together.” – Doug Ryder, Team Manager, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team

Pidcock’s arrival signals an exciting new era for Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team and its partners, with plans to compete more consistently at the highest level and make its mark on the world of cycling.

“We have been partnered with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team since the beginning, and together we have built an incredible platform for racing and performance at the highest level. We trust in the leadership of this team and their fantastic commitment to achieving great results together. We are delighted that Tom Pidcock will be joining the team, and will be riding SCOTT road bikes and Syncros components from 2025.” – Pascal Ducrot, co-CEO, SCOTT Sports

Tom Pidcock has signed a 3-year contract and will join the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team squad in the upcoming pre-season training camp, which is set to take place in Calpe, Spain in January.

SCOTT Sports continues as a committed sponsor of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. For the 2025 season, the team will ride SCOTT road bikes and Syncros components, including with the Foil RC, Plasma RC TT and all-new Addict RC bikes.

Tom Pidcock to Remain Part of the Pinarello Family

Multiple world and Olympic champion to continue riding Pinarello’s flagship off-road bikes for the next three years

Pinarello is pleased to confirm Tom Pidcock will continue riding and helping to develop its flagship off-road bikes for the next three years following his move from INEOS Grenadiers to the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

Pidcock has enjoyed huge success on Pinarello’s off-road range over the last four years, winning world and Olympic cross country mountain bike titles on the Dogma XC. That bike was developed in both hard and softail models in the space of six months, specifically for him and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who also went on to achieve world and Olympic success.

The 25-year-old British athlete also triumphed on the Crossista F at the 2022 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, and will have that bike at his disposal again moving forwards, along with the Grevil F if he chooses to compete in any gravel competitions. The only occasions he will not compete on a Pinarello will be during road events.

Pinarello President Fausto Pinarello said: “We’re thrilled to confirm Tom will continue racing on our cyclo-cross, cross country mountain bike and gravel bikes. He is an amazing rider with phenomenal technical skills and it’s been a pleasure working with him on the Crossista and Dogma XC, both models in segments where we hadn’t had bikes for a long time.

“Tom is a rider who knows what he wants. His unwavering pursuit of excellence has challenged us a lot and enabled us to produce three incredible frames which he’s ridden to success on the grandest stages in the sport. We are delighted to keep this successful collaboration alive.”

Tom Pidcock said: “Working with Fausto and the team at Pinarello over the past four years has been a privilege, and a really enjoyable experience. I am so happy I get to stay working with them on everything off-road moving forwards.“

“So far, we have developed three cyclo-cross and XC MTB frames together and all of them exceeded expectations from the moment I sat on them, I could not have asked for more. I felt so confident on them that I was able to race and win after the first couple of rides.“

“To me, our relationship feels more like a partnership than a sponsorship. I’m looking forward to the next three years of racing and developing more great bikes with Pinarello.“

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There has been much speculation about Campagnolo this year. The storied Italian component manufacturer was left off cycling’s most prestigious stage after being flicked by French powerhouse Decathlon-AG2R for Shimano in 2024. For the 2025 season, Campagnolo has a seat back at the world tour table with another iconic French outfit — Cofidis.

Campagnolo Returns to the World Tour 

It’s poetic that another French World Tour team would ring the bells for Campagnolo’s return to the World Tour. The news has many Campagnolo fans breathing a sigh of relief after a few years of watching the brand fall away from professional racing. Now, along with Team Cofidis, Campagnolo looks to add another chapter to its 90-year racing history.

Where Has Campy Been?

Campagnolo hasn’t been dormant; on the contrary, they’ve released quite a few products in the past two years. Many of which take a slight step out of their comfort zone, like the Super Record S and Ekar GT, to name a few. However, the presence of SRAM and Shimano has grown so exponentially that it seemed challenging for the Vicentine company to compete.  

Starting January 1st, 2025, Cofidis and their new LOOK bikes will be outfitted with the newest Campagnolo shifting components and wheels. The agreement will run for the next four years and includes both the men’s and women’s Cofidis squads. 

LOOK and Campagnolo Combo 

The 2025 Cofidis team edition LOOK bikes will be specced with the newest Campagnolo Super Record Wireless groupset. With this, riders will have their pick of cassettes, cranksets, lengths, and everything in between—it’s good to be the pro. 

Wheels-wise, Cofidis riders will be using the new Bora ULTRA WTO wheels. The Campagnolo Bora ULTRA WTO wheels come in two depths: 45 mm and 60mm. Both employ a 23mm 2-WAY FIT internal rim bed and should fit well with the team’s 28mm or 30mm Continental tubeless tires. 

In addition to the  Bora ULTRA WTO, they will use the Bora Ultra WTO TT disc wheel (just 930 grams) for time trials. All Bora ULTRA TWO wheels spin on Campagnolos’ CULT  ceramic bearings. 

What’s Next For Campagnolo? 

We’ll have to wait and see. They are back on the World Tour and showcasing their beautiful craftsmanship, piloted by the world’s best athletes.

Campagnolo.com

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The quick gist is that Old Man Mountain & Silca have teamed up to support a collective of 5 amateur bikepacking racers from any background and anywhere around the world. Each member will get a $2000 stipend to help cover costs to get them to the races. Then, on top of that will be a whole bunch of free Old Man Mountain gear, prototypes to test, a full suite of Silca goodies to make your bike faster, more free gear & industry deals, plus help figuring out a training plan for your individual racing goals.

Loam & Gravel Society – Experimental Bikepacking Team

Call it a mix between the birth of a factory bikepacking race team and a call out for ultra-distance influencers.

Any way you look at it, OMM (they abbreviate their own name like that, and I’ve already grown tired of typing Old Man Mountain) was looking for a way they could support some of the cyclists on the bikepacking & ultra racing scene. And at the same time grow their visibility amongst more competitive bike riders, while testing and refining their next crop of products still in development.

My personal take on it is then. It seems like OMM are strongly hinting that they are also working on more race-oriented gear-hauling products. The majority of the current offerings (and their existing crop of brand ambassadors) lean more toward the heavy-duty, utilitarian way of carrying gear on your bikes, or classic loaded touring just off-road; think: burly racks & baskets. But OMM also already created some interesting things like their Axle Packs. Those provide a great way to mount gear on bikes not normally well-suited for bikepacking – like lightweight race bikes.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see more of that show up on bikes of the new Loam & Gravel Society experimental bikepacking team.

“We commit to nurturing a lively and inclusive cycling community by focusing on shared experiences and collective joy. We see bikepacking and ultra racing as a means to connect, explore, and grow together while also pushing ourselves further. Our team represents the heart of camaraderie and adventure, engaging in races, community events, supporting fellow riders, and celebrating the journey itself. We want to push what we can do on a bike and through our collaborative spirit, we hope to inspire others to embrace adventure and find joy in every mile. Go beyond the podium.”

– Loam & Gravel

Nuts & Bolts

OK, so 5 riders will get picked, get 2 grand & a bunch of gear, and will help test some next-gen prototypes, too.

OMM is looking for riders of any age, gender, or background who want to test their own limits at some of the most grueling bikepacking races out there. “Winning isn’t everything, but effort matters.” But they will be prioritizing racers that mix determination, self-sufficiency, speed, and good communication skills.

Applications are open starting today through December 2nd. Fill out the online form at: OldManMountain.com here, now.

Want to support an experimental bikepacking team, yourself?

BTW, if you work for another bikepacking or endurance-adjacent brand and the experimental bikepacking team concept sounds interesting to you, OMM’s Loam & Gravel Society is still hunting for additional sponsor support. If OMM can round up more backing, their goal is then to bring all 5 riders together for a week this winter for a training camp where everyone can get to know each other and support one another’s racing goals.

OldManMountain.com

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The LifeTime Grand Prix isn’t taking an end-of-season rest. The premier race series is already ramping up for the next year, with a slight change in format and number of participants. There has been much speculation on who will choose to participate and who will be chosen to race the 2025 LifeTime Grand Prix.

The 2025 LifeTime Grand Prix roster is the most globally diverse edition in the series’ four-year history, with representatives from 12 countries. This year’s lineup showcases a blend of seasoned competitors and international talent poised to shake up the elite off-road cycling scene.

What is New for the 2025 LifeTime GrandPrix?

• 50 total athletes (down from 60 previously), 25 men and 25 women
• 6 Wild Card spots (3 Men and 3 Women) will be announced after the second event
• New event line-up to include 6-iconic events with (down from 7 previously) one drop race.

Men’s Roster Highlights:

Returning and dominant champion Keegan Swenson leads a formidable field that includes 2024 podium contenders Matthew Beers and Payson McElveen. The international roster features Mattia De Marchi (Italy), ex-World Tour racer Lawrence Naesen (Belgium), and Tsgabu Grmay (Ethiopia). Swiss veteran Simon Pellaud rounds out a field full of depth and experience.

Full Men’s Roster – LifeTime Grandprix 2025:

• Matthew Beers – South Africa
• John Borstelmann – USA
• Zach Calton – USA
• Hugo Drechou – France
• Griffin Easter – USA
• Sean Fincham – Canada
• Russell Finsterwald – USA
• Tsgabu Grmay – Ethiopia
• Howard Grotts – USA
• Finn Gullickson – USA
• Dylan Johnson – USA
• Brendan Johnston – Australia
• Bradyn Lange – USA
• Payson McElveen – USA
• Mattia De Marchi – Italy
• Lawrence Naesen – Belgium
• Simon Pellaud – Switzerland
• Cole Paton – USA
• Torbjørn Andre Røed – Norway
• Keegan Swenson – USA
• Alexey Vermeulen – USA
• Alex Wild – USA

Women’s Roster Highlights:

Defending champion Sofia Gomez Villafañe returns alongside a strong lineup of top-10 finishers from 2024. Notable newcomers include Cécile Lejeune (France), Annabel Fisher (UK), and Australian gravel champion Courtney Sherwell.

Full Women’s Roster LifeTime Grandprix 2025:

• Crystal Anthony – USA
• Ellen Campbell – USA
• Lauren De Crescenzo – USA
• Cecily Decker – USA
• Axelle Dubau-Prévot – France
• Annabel Fisher – Great Britain
• Sofia Gomez Villafañe – Argentina
• Stella Hobbs – USA
• Erin Huck – USA
• Sarah Lange – USA
• Cécile Lejeune – France
• Deanna Mayles – USA
• Paige Onweller – USA
• Hannah Otto – USA
• Hayley Preen – South Africa
• Jenna Rinehart – USA
• Melisa Rollins – USA
• Samara Sheppard – New Zealand
• Courtney Sherwell – Australia
• Alexis Skarda – USA
• Haley Smith – Canada
• Michaela Thompson – USA

Wildcard Selections:

Three wildcard spots for both men and women will be awarded post-Sea Otter Classic Gravel and UNBOUND Gravel, ensuring the series remains dynamic up to the start.

“The mix of returning champions and international riders will elevate the 2025 series, highlighting the Grand Prix’s growing global status.”

Kimo Seymour, Life Time’s SVP of Events

lifetimegrandprix.com

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