{
  "id": 19685139,
  "title": "'We have to get serious about how athletes make a living' – Huge $800K prize pot for Life Time Grand Prix in 2027 is biggest ever",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/we-have-to-get-serious-about-how-athletes-make-a-living-huge-800k",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-12T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Cycling Weekly",
    "slug": "cycling-weekly",
    "url": "https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/huge-usd800k-prize-pot-for-life-time-grand-prix-in-2027-is-biggest-ever"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2027, the Life Time Grand Prix, a gravel and mountain bike series in the US, will offer its largest ever prize pot, totaling $800,000. This represents a 36% increase from this year's $590,000 prize money. The top finishers will share the wealth, with the first $400,000 awarded to the top-10 riders overall, and $2,500 given to those placing 11th-25th. The remaining $400,000 will be distributed among the top-10 finishers in each individual race, marking a more generous spread in 2027 compared to 2026. The series will consist of seven races, including the addition of the Rad Dirt Fest in Colorado's Trinidad mountains, which returns after a three-year break. Life Time Grand Prix co-director Michelle Duffy emphasized the need for serious investment in off-road cycling to grow and support a more diverse talent pool. The competition will be intensified with earlier qualification based on performance, and the first 10 riders in each category will automatically qualify, while the rest will compete in two races at the Sea Otter Classic weekend.",
  "summary": "The gravel series prize fund is a massive 36% increase on last year",
  "key_points": [
    "Life Time Grand Prix to offer $800K prize pot in 2027, 36% increase from $590K",
    "Top-10 riders share $400K, 11th-25th receive $2,500 each",
    "Rad Dirt Fest returns to Colorado after 3-year hiatus"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}