USA Cycling Juniors Gravel National Series

The path to the National Team starts on the gravel.

The USA Cycling Junior Gravel Series returns for an exciting 2026 season, providing the nation’s top junior riders (ages 15–18, determined by age on Dec 31, 2026) with a premier platform to compete, earn points, and gain exposure to national-level development opportunities. This series of 10 races, including Seasons of Rothrock GRIT Gravel Grinder, is designed to reward performance, consistency, and competitive depth across a diverse and challenging national calendar.

You do not need to be a USA Junior registered rider to participate, but you must be registered to earn points.

We will be offering payouts for places 1-3 for each Junior category: $250 / $125 /$75.

Grittier Junior Boys 15-16 (45 Miles | 4,269 ft)
Grittier Junior Girls 15-16 (45 Miles | 4,269 ft)
View the Grittier Course

Grittiest Junior Boys 17-18 (65 Miles | 6,226 ft)
Grittiest Junior Girls 17-18 (65 Miles | 6,226 ft)
View the Grittiest Course

REGISTER

2026 Series Structure

The 2026 Junior Gravel Series will consist of 10 events, combining established cornerstone races with new additions that expand geographic reach and competitive opportunity.

2026 Junior Series Calendar

Rouge Roubaix XXII – Saint Francisville, LA | February 28
Valley of Tears – Laredo, TX | March 7
Sea Otter Classic – Monterey, CA | April 17
Unbound Gravel – Emporia, KS | May 30
Rothrock Grit Gravel Grinder – State College, PA | June 6
Dirty Dino Gravel Race – Vernal, UT | June 13
SBT GRVL – Steamboat Springs, CO | June 28
Dust Bowl 100 – Eminence, IN | July 25
Core4 – Iowa City, IA | August 15
USA Cycling Gravel National Championship – La Crescent, MN | September 12

Eligibility & Licensing Requirements

To be eligible for inclusion in the Overall Junior Gravel Series Standings, riders must hold a valid annual USA Cycling license for the 2026 season.

Overall Series Eligibility: Only riders holding an active annual USA Cycling license will be eligible to earn points toward, and be ranked in, the Overall Series Standings.
Individual Events: A USA Cycling license is not required to compete in individual Junior Gravel Series events (excluding the USA Cycling Gravel National Championship, which follows standard USA Cycling licensing requirements).

Riders without an annual license may compete in eligible events and earn event results, but will not be included in the overall series rankings.

Get a License

How to Qualify for Overall Standings

The series utilizes a cumulative points system across all sanctioned events.

Minimum Starts: Riders must compete in a minimum of 3 races to be included in the
official Overall Series Standings.
Standings Calculation: Once the 3-race minimum is met, the Overall Series Champion is
determined by total accumulated points across the season.

Incentives & Rewards

National Championship Entry: Any junior rider (15–16 or 17–18 categories) who wins an individual series race will receive free entry into the 2026 USA Cycling Gravel National Championship.

Talent ID Camp Consideration (October 2026):

The 17–18 Overall Series Champion will receive an automatic invite to the Talent ID Camp, pending continued program offering.
Riders in the 15–16 category will not receive an automatic invite, but will be evaluated for selection based on performance throughout the season.

Revised 2026 Point Scoring System

All series events will utilize a scoring system that rewards both finishing position and field size.

Standard Placement Points (P)
1st: 50 | 2nd: 45 | 3rd: 41 | 4th: 37 | 5th: 34 | 6th: 31 | 7th: 28 | 8th: 26 | 9th: 24 | 10th: 22 | 11th: 20 | 12th: 18 | 13th: 17 | 14th: 16 | 15th: 15 | 16th: 14 | 17th: 13 | 18th: 12 | 19th: 11 | 20th: 10 | 21st: 9 | 22nd: 8 | 23rd: 7 | 24th: 6 | 25th: 5 | 26th: 4 | 27th: 3 | 28th: 2 | 29th–30th: 1

All other starters not disqualified will receive 1 point.

Starter Bonus Points (B)
Riders receive a Starter Bonus equal to the total number of starters in their field.

Total Points = Placement Points (P) + Starter Bonus (B)

Example:

Winner in a 50-rider field: 50 + 50 = 100 points
Winner in a 10-rider field: 50 + 10 = 60 points

Happy Valley Women's Cycling Team Junior Charlotte

Register for the GRIT Gravel Grinder!

Determined by age on 12/31/2026

Ages 15-16: GRITTIER 45 Miles | 4,269 ft
Ages 17-18: GRITTIEST 65 Miles | 6,226 ft

GET GRITTY!

Junior Rider participating in the GRIT Gravel Grinder