The third event on the popular 2023 USA Gran Fondo National Series calendar took place in Butler, New Jersey at Highlands Gran Fondo on 4 June. Over 1000 riders raced up-and-down the non-stop rolling hills of New Jersey, with 143 qualifying to race at the upcoming USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships.

Like previous events, the USA Gran Fondo National Series uses the American Fondo format with riders only competing on short timed segments, rather than over the entire route.

To qualify for the 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships riders had to finish on the podium of their age/gender category or in the top 25% of their age/gender category.

New Jerseyite Dan Montgomery, 32, won the gran fondo competition by completing four timed segments in 43:07 during the 100 mile ride with 7400 feet of climbing. New Yorker Galen Bolard won the women’s gran fondo with a combined time of 47:12.

Hugo Pelaez earned victory in the 60 mile medio fondo by racing over three timed sections in 36:14, with Jillian Mcgee completing the same segments in 41:46 for the women.

In the shortest event, a 35 mile piccolo fondo with two timed segments, Rachel Liberatore was the fastest woman with a time of 35:15, and Oscar Romero was the fastest man in 29:52.

The 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships take place 17 September at Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, Maryland using the same American Fondo competitive format.

Photo Credit: Gran Fondo National Series

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