The Mexican island of Cozumel hosted the 11th edition GFNY Cozumel on Sunday, offering riders one of the flattest and fastest gran fondo routes in North America – but in pouring rain this year. Winning after racing two wet laps around the island were U23 pro Uriel Omar Espinoza (TENIS STARS) of Mexico and former pro Melina Salcedo (CLARUS MERQUIMIA GROUP – STRONGMAN) of Colombia.

22 year-old Uriel Omar Espinoza claimed overall victory by out-sprinting 3x GFNY Cozumel champion Flavio de Luna in 3:40:30. Salvador Lemus Guerrero trailed the two leaders by one minute to take third place for the men.

Former pro and Colombian National Track Champion Melina Salcedo, 36, easily out-sprinted Melissa Vargas to win for the women in 3:42:35, with Sara Roel Lopez completing the podium.

2800 riders participated in the event, with the 158km gran fondo incorporating two 40km King of the Wind (Cozumel is always windy) sectors along the east coast of the island.

Riders finishing in the top 10% of their age/gender category earned the right to line-up in the front starting corrals at the GFNY World Championship in New York City on 18 May 2025.

The 12th GFNY Cozumel will take place 16 November 2025.

Photo Credit: GFNY Cozumel

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