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Clash of the calendars – Systems collide with riders forced to choose between Life Time Grand Prix and UCI Gravel World Championships

Australian gravel racer Brendan Johnston faces a career-defining dilemma as the UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup collide with a round of the Life Time Grand Prix Series, where he sits tied for second in the standings. Johnston, who won the test event for the Worlds and was Australia’s top contender in the men’s elite race, must weigh representing his country against a financially critical opportunity to compete in the high-stakes Little Sugar MTB event.

With no national federation support, no prize money at the Worlds, and substantial costs for travel and support crew, Johnston’s decision hinges on long-term career goals rather than short-term financial gain. His choice to prioritize the Life Time Grand Prix—where he aims for a career-best result—reflects the broader challenge faced by Australian riders, as none of the country’s Life Time Grand Prix competitors will race in Nannup, including Courtney Sherwell and Samara Sheppard from New Zealand.

Johnston’s Instagram announcement underscored the difficulty of balancing national pride with professional ambition, a tension felt across the field as riders navigate conflicting priorities in an increasingly crowded calendar.

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