Life Time, the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand and owner and producer of 30 premier athletic events announces a $65,000 total prize purse for the Life Time Little Sugar MTB presented by Mazda, set to debut Oct. 15 in Northwest Arkansas.
Life Time and OZ Brands have combined efforts to announce a $65,000 prize purse, a notable increase from the previously announced $25,000 prize purse, making it the biggest offering in a single-day cycling event in the United States. The increased prize–along with other efforts such as the Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda–further affirms Life Time’s commitment to supporting elite cycling and growing cycling fandom and participation in the United States.
The prize purse will be split evenly between the elite female and elite male fields. The breakdown will be as follows:
1st Place: $12,000
2nd Place: $8,500
3rd Place: $6,000
4th Place: $4,000
5th Place: $2,000
“We believe OZ is an access point for endless adventure. Our partnership with Life Time elevates Northwest Arkansas and OZ as a global destination for unique outdoor experiences,” said Scott King of OZ Brands. “The Big Sugar Classic Cycling Festival and Little Sugar MTB will inspire the next generation of cyclists and adventure seekers right here in our own backyard.”
“We are incredibly proud to have the privilege of working with OZ Brands to provide this unique opportunity for athletes,” said Kimo Seymour, President of Life Time Events and Media. “Not only will Little Sugar MTB be technically challenging for amateur and recreational riders, but the pros will be super focused on the end of season opportunity to earn a significant pay day.”
Northwest Arkansas’ rich mountain bike culture, paired with the prize purse, has already inspired numerous elite mountain bikers to confirm that they will race Little Sugar MTB, including 2022 Life Time Grand Prix champion Haley Smith, Andrew L’Esperance, Cole Paton, Crystal Anthony, Savilia Blunk, Taylor Lideen, and Emily Newsom. With the Life Time Grand Prix finale, Big Sugar Gravel, taking place the following weekend, even more, elite athletes are expected to commit to Little Sugar MTB.
Life Time Little Sugar MTB presented by Mazda is a part of the week-long Big Sugar Classic cycling festival in October, which includes Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Mazda, now heading into its third year. The festival is a world-class event in a region with a distinct and passionate cycling culture, which has become a hub for national and international cycling events.
The accessibility and diversity of the trail network in Northwest Arkansas has created a destination for cyclists from across the globe. OZ Brands and Life Time are a perfect pairing to help bring professional cyclists and outdoor adventurers to the MTB Capital of the world™.
To learn more about the Big Sugar Classic Cycling Festival, please visit www.bigsugarclassic.com. Registration for both Little Sugar MTB presented by Mazda and Big Sugar Gravel presented by Mazda opens today, March 1, 2023, at 6 pm CST.
