This might sound like a small technical detail, but it could have big implications, particularly in the women’s field. Gravel races often feature mass starts, where men, women, pros, and amateurs all hit the course together. That chaotic launch has traditionally allowed faster amateur or male riders to mix in with the elite women’s field, often unintentionally—and sometimes very much intentionally—providing them with aerodynamic benefits.
That’s what Life Time wants to put a stop to.
Let’s break down what the new rule says, how it will be enforced, and what it might mean for this weekend’s UNBOUND Gravel—the biggest and most-watched event in the gravel calendar.
A closer look at the rule
Currently in effect, elite riders in the Life Time Grand Prix cannot draft off anyone outside their race category. That means:
- Elite women cannot draft behind elite men or any amateur riders.
- Elite men also can’t draft off elite women or amateurs.
- Amateur riders are allowed to draft off other amateurs, regardless of age, gender, or category.
And what exactly is drafting, according to Life Time? It’s being within 15 feet (about two bike lengths) and 3 feet to either side of another rider for more than 15 seconds.
The penalty for breaking the rule is severe: automatic relegation to the bottom of the elite results and LTGP standings for that race. No time penalties, no warnings, just a full demotion. One infraction, and your race is effectively over.
That’s a bold statement. But it’s one Life Time feels is necessary to keep things fair, particularly in a sport that’s starting to deal with real prize money, sponsorships, and long-term contracts.
How will it be enforced?
The question on everyone’s mind: How do you actually police something like this over 200 miles of open terrain?
Here’s what we know. Life Time says it will use:
- Neutral moto marshals
- Course marshals
- Staff with access to live video feeds
- Drone and helicopter footage
- Other verifiable data sources
Interestingly, rider feedback or testimony will not be accepted as standalone evidence. So even if you see someone blatantly breaking the rule, your word won’t be enough to trigger a penalty. The jury needs visual or data-based proof.
In places where it’s simply not possible to pass—like tight singletrack, climbs, or early-race congestion—officials say they’ll take that into account. Riders also have 30 minutes from notification of a penalty to lodge an appeal.
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Why the rule matters
Let’s be honest—gravel’s scrappy, “anything goes” spirit is part of what makes it exciting. But it also creates grey areas, especially when elite athletes are racing for big money. The 2025 Life Time Grand Prix has $380,000 on the line, and with that kind of payout, athletes want—and deserve—a level playing field.
In the past, some elite women have ridden in the draft of faster male riders, whether teammates, friends, or just well-timed strangers. It’s a legal move under mass-start rules, but it can create an uneven dynamic, especially when not everyone has equal access to those kinds of pulls.
Critics argue it undermines the integrity of the women’s race. Supporters of the traditional format counter that it’s just part of gravel’s DNA—unpredictable, wild, and tactical.
This rule is Life Time’s way of drawing a line in the dirt.
The Sea Otter soft launch
The rule quietly made its debut at the Sea Otter Classic Gravel race in April. But because of the event’s layout, the new policy didn’t get much of a test run.
The elite races went off on different days from the amateur events, and the terrain—short, punchy, technical, and largely singletrack—wasn’t conducive to long stretches of drafting anyway. There were no violations reported, no drama, and no issues with enforcement. It was, essentially, a dress rehearsal.
UNBOUND, however, will be a very different story.
UNBOUND Gravel: The real test
The 200-mile elite race at UNBOUND is where this rule will truly be stress-tested. Here’s how the start times will work: Elite Men start at 5:50 a.m. (CST), Elite Women go at 6:05 a.m. (15 minutes later), Amateurs roll out at 6:30 a.m.
That 15-minute gap between the men’s and women’s fields is identical to last year, but now there’s a strict boundary on interaction. And while a 25-minute buffer before the amateurs start helps, it’s still a long day in unpredictable conditions. Riders crash. Riders flat. Riders bonk. It’s not hard to imagine an elite man having a bad day, dropping back, and unintentionally (or not) interfering with the women’s race.
Likewise, a super-strong amateur—or an entire group—could catch a struggling elite woman, which puts both parties in a tricky situation.
That’s where the nuance of this rule really gets tested. Will the marshals catch every violation? Can they distinguish between a rider “drafting” and just surviving a chaotic course? It’s going to be complicated. But Life Time’s message is clear: the consequences are severe for anyone who tries to game the system.
Growing pains or growing up?
This new policy isn’t just about drafting. It’s a symptom of something larger: gravel racing is growing up.
When gravel first took off, it was the wild west of cycling. No UCI rules. No radios. No team cars. No structure. That anti-establishment vibe is still alive and well—but now the sport has real money and real consequences. With that comes growing pains.
For many, this feels like a necessary evolution. Professional women want to compete on equal terms, with results based on fitness, skill, and tactics—not who found a strong wheel to hide behind for 80 miles. Male racers may find themselves similarly boxed in under the new rules, but ultimately, the hope is to ensure cleaner, more independent racing across the board.
And to Life Time’s credit, they’re not pretending they have all the answers. Their official rulebook ends with a caveat: “Life Time reserves the right to amend this policy at any time.”
What is UNBOUND Gravel?
For those newer to the gravel scene, UNBOUND is the crown jewel of the gravel calendar. Held annually in the Flint Hills of Kansas, the event draws nearly 5,000 riders from around the world—from first-time racers to hardened professionals.
There are multiple race distances, from a family-friendly 25-miler to the brutal 350-mile XL event. But it’s the 200-mile race that steals the spotlight. That’s the one where the top names in the sport go head-to-head in a gruelling test of endurance, grit, and navigation.
UNBOUND has no UCI status or official international ranking, but it doesn’t need one. It has credibility where it counts—among riders. It’s beloved, respected, and fiercely competitive. Just getting in is tough; a lottery decides most spots.
For the first time: Full live coverage
This year marks a big step forward in coverage: both the elite men’s and women’s 200-mile races will be livestreamed in full on the Life Time Grand Prix YouTube channel.
It’s a first for the race, which until now was followed mostly through roadside social media updates and on-the-ground recaps.
“Bringing live, free-to-stream coverage of the Life Time UNBOUND Gravel presented by Shimano is a major step in our journey to elevate the sport,” said Kimo Seymour, Life Time’s President of Events and Media.
Final thoughts
Is the new drafting rule perfect? No. Is it going to be tricky to enforce? Almost certainly. But is it a step toward fairer racing and a more professional future for gravel? Absolutely.
Gravel racing is evolving. We’re watching a sport define itself in real time—messy, complicated, and full of passion. And that’s what makes it exciting.
UNBOUND Gravel will be the first real litmus test of this rule. So whether you’re lining up in Emporia or watching from home, keep your eyes on the pack—and the gaps. This year, every wheel counts.
