One of the USA’s premiere cycling events closed out the 2022 east coast cycling season on Saturday in the State of South Carolina at the 11th edition of Gran Fondo Hincapie Greenville.

When George Hincapie retired from professional racing in 2012, he started the event that takes cyclists on some of the classic climbing routes he rode to preparation for the grueling Tour de France, which he rode 17 times.

In the 80 mile gran fondo multiple UCI Gran Fondo World Champion Bruce Bird, 54, powered to a solo victory in 3:55:48, with Matthew Amano (4:03:40) second and Michael Roseberry (4:06:59) third.

Valentina Cuellar Zuluaga won the women’s category in 4:24:05, followed by Debbie Milne (4:29:58) and Devon Clarke (4:30:02).

In the $10,000 Junior Challenge 18 year-olds Artem Shmidt (2:06:08) and Jonas Walton (2:06:16) earned first and second place respectively in the men’s race, with Enzo Hincapie, George’s 14 year-old son, finishing an impressive third in 2:07:38 against a field of older and more experienced junior riders.

For the Junior Challenge women’s race Sophie Zents took the top prize with a time of 2:28:54. Beatrice Galbraith (2:33:27) was second and Greetja Nestler (2:46:01) earned third place.

Carley Sweeney won the women’s medio fondo of 50 miles in length with a time of 2:31:13, while for the men Mitch Hopkins claimed victory in 2:13:44.

“A chilly morning led to a beautiful sunny day for our Junior Challenge Racers and Fondo riders, and we loved every moment riding and celebrating with them all,” George Hincapie said after finishing the gran fondo.

More than 2500 cyclists participated in the event, rolling out from George Hincapie’s Domestique Hotel on 80, 50 or 15 mile routes in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains aglow with fall colors everywhere.

Complete Gran Fondo Hincapie Greenville results HERE.

Photos/Media: Gran Fondo Hincapie