Gravel Worlds Goes Big Again With Record-Setting 2026 Prize Purse

Last year they took gravel racing to a new level with the sport’s largest single-day prize purse, but the folks at Gravel Worlds weren’t ready to stop at US$100,000. Thanks to the race’s GOODLIFE Nutrition sponsorship, this year’s marquee event on August 22 will offer the pros $150,000, split evenly between the men and women and going 10 deep. And, yes, that means the 17th Gravel Worlds will once again offer the largest one-day prize purse in gravel racing. Fans will be able to follow the exciting action live on the Gravel Worlds YouTube channel and Outside TV.

“We’re proud to be leaders in moving our sport forward,” said Jason Strohbehn, Lead Promoter of Gravel Worlds. “But this isn’t just about the pro race. We’re using the pro field to make Gravel Worlds better for the everyday rider—by increasing safety, expanding our expo, adding more on-course resources, and elevating the entire experience for everyone who shows up to ride.”

GOODLIFE Nutrition Supports Local Event and Juniors

Lincoln-based GOODLIFE Nutrition is providing the prize money for the event, reinforcing “its commitment to fairness, performance and the growth of competitive cycling … and strengthening the local sports community.”

The company is also looking to assist and promote the next generation of gravel racers by offering free entry to all U19 racers in the 75-mile and non-competitive 35-mile races. Entry fees for U23 athletes in the 150-mile race are capped at $50.

“We’re incredibly excited to continue supporting young riders as they find their way into gravel cycling,” said Sofia Gibson, Assistant Lead Promoter of Gravel Worlds. “By offering free and discounted entry to our junior categories, we’re lowering barriers to participation and helping build a stronger future for the sport. Investing in young athletes today is how we ensure gravel cycling continues to grow in healthy, inclusive ways tomorrow.”

150-Mile Showcase Event

The prize money offered in 2025 for the 150-mile marquee event ensured that the best gravel riders were in Lincoln, with Matthew Beers and Rosa Klöser taking dramatic wins and each earning a cool $17,500 in the process. This year’s winners will take home $25,000 for their efforts.

Here’s the 2026 prize-money breakdown:

1. $25,000
2. $17,000
3. $10,000
4. $7,500
5. $5,000
6. $4,000
7. $3,000
8. $2,000
9. $1,000
10. $500

With this much money on the line, another star-studded field will certainly be on hand again this year.

Organizers emphasize that the large pro purse doesn’t diminish from the experience for the rest of the athletes competing in the race since GOODLIFE’s sponsorship provides even more resources to ensure the event “remains open, accessible and community focused.” Enhancements to this year’s race include more on-course services so that there won’t be more than 30 miles between water and fully stocked aid stations for the 150-mile race. The renowned First2Last Party that celebrates the final finishers looking to make the 9:59:59 cut off time will be bigger and better than ever thanks to more investment this year, too.

“I’m beyond thankful that these changes will increase the experience for every single rider,” said Hannah Shell, pro rider and Gravel Worlds’ First to Last Coordinator. “And I can promise you, the last place party is going to be absolutely next level.”

Endurance Festival

There’s almost a full week of action around this year’s race, including a Short Track MTB race on Tuesday (Aug. 18), a two-day expo (Aug. 20 and 21), the USA Triathlon Gravel National Championships on Friday, Aug.21, the cycling events (35-, 75-, 150- and 300-mile) on Aug. 22, with Saturday and Sunday also hosting the running events – 5-, 10-, 21.1- and 50-km.

Friday’s USA Triathlon Gravel National Championships will feature two distances – a sprint (750 m swim, 17 mile bike, 5 km run) and an intermediate distance (1,500 m swim, 28 mile bike and a 10 km run.) This year’s event will be the second of a planned four-year run for the race to be held at Branched Oak Lake. You can check out our photo gallery from last year’s race below.

You can get more information and register for this year’s Gravel Worlds race here.

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