USA Cycling has partnered with Life Time, SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo, and Valley of Tears to launch the Junior Gravel National Series, a five-race series exclusively for junior riders aged 15-18. Designed to nurture the next generation of elite cyclists, this series provides aspiring athletes with invaluable race experience in the fast-growing discipline of gravel cycling, along with unique opportunities to advance their competitive careers.
The USA Cycling Junior Gravel National Series will consist of five events across the country and four competition categories: 15-16 Men, 15-16 Women, 17-18 Men, and 17-18 Women. Riders must participate in at least three events to be included in the series standings, with their three best finishes counting toward their overall score. At the conclusion of each series event, each athlete receives a score equivalent to their placement in that respective event. The rider with the lowest total score from their top three finishes will be crowned the overall winner in their respective category. In the event of a tie, rider placements at the USA Cycling Gravel National Championships in La Crescent, Minn., September 20, 2025 will serve as the tiebreaker.
All series participants will have exclusive access to a special discounted registration rate for the 2025 USA Cycling Gravel National Championships. Additionally, the top three finishers in each series event leading up to the National Championships will earn a $50 credit toward their registration fee.
Top-ranked riders from the series will be invited to a USA Cycling Junior Talent Identification Camp in October 2025. This new, invitation-only camp provides young athletes with a dedicated pathway into elite-level road racing and an Olympic discipline.
2025 Junior Gravel National Series Event Schedule:
- March 8, 2025: Valley of Tears Gravel – Turkey, Texas
- April 11, 2025: Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental – Monterey, Calif.
- May 31, 2025: Life Time UNBOUND Gravel – Emporia, Kan.
- June 29, 2025: SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo – Steamboat Springs, Colo.
- September 20, 2025: USA Cycling Gravel National Championships – La Crescent, Minn.
“We are working closely with event organizers and industry partners to build a foundation for the future. This series is just the beginning of a broader initiative to expand opportunities for junior riders across multiple cycling disciplines. The USA Cycling Junior Gravel National Series represents a bold step forward in our efforts to expand youth participation in gravel, a discipline that offers a unique bridge between road and off-road cycling,” said Kyle Knott, USA Cycling’s Director of National Events.
"We are deeply committed to fostering the growth of cycling in the United States. Life Time has embraced a leadership role through iconic events like Sea Otter Classic and UNBOUND Gravel, and has further promoted the sport with the Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda series, encouraging both professional cycling and fan engagement,” said Kristi Mohn from Life Time Off Road Events. “Partnering with USA Cycling to develop and expand youth gravel cycling is a natural next step in this mission. We’re excited to see the development of young riders and look forward to working not only with USA Cycling but with gravel events nationwide to inspire more youth and families to discover the joy of cycling.”
“SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo is honored to be a steppingstone on the road for junior riders to develop their gravel racing skills within the US.” Said Amy Charity, Co-Founding Partner and CEO of SBT GRVL. “We are proud to call America the birthplace of gravel, and excited to see USA Cycling and like-minded events working together to build a series that provides a clear path to compete and achieve recognition at a national level."
“Valley of Tears is thrilled to host the first race of the 2025 Junior Gravel National Series. At the heart of our race is a commitment to fostering community, resilience, and a passion for the sport,” said Christian Fairly of the Fairly Family. “By partnering with USA Cycling, we have the opportunity to help support aspiring young American cyclists—something USA Cycling did 20 years ago for my brother Caleb—by providing young athletes a platform to challenge themselves and develop their skills. We look forward to seeing these talented juniors find their limits and carry the spirit of gravel cycling forward.”
Click here for details including event locations, registration information, and additional event specifics.
