For it’s 13th season former US WorldTour pro cyclist George Hincapie’s gran fondo series is hosting five events, with the first going off-road in Merced California on 15 March.

“The courses in Merced are what gravel dreams are made of,” Joe Coddington, Technical Director for Gran Fondo Hincapie, announced. “Wide open roads rolling through some of the most beautiful ranch lands the west has to offer, paired with views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, make this one impossible to forget.”

Taking place in the foothills of the epic Sierra Nevada, Gran Fondo Hincapie Merced offers west coast cyclists challenging 81 or 61-mile fast mixed surface routes with panoramic views, punchy climbs and butt-puckering descents. Note: Expect to finish filthy after riding through multiple water crossings, mud puddles, cow pies and plenty of gravel ‘n grit.

  • 81-mile Gran Fondo, 49% gravel/51% asphalt, ~5000 feet of climbing, 3 rest stops, 3 timed sectors
  • 61-mile Medio Fondo, 45% gravel/55% asphalt, ~2300 feet of climbing, 2 rest stops, 2 timed sectors

Besides George Hincapie (the event’s namesake), former pro sprinter Ivan “The Cuban Missile” Dominguez will participate and mix it up with amateur graveleurs.

2025 Gran Fondo Hincapie event dates:

  • 15 March: Merced, CA
  • 3 May: Chattanooga, TN
  • 31 May: Lehigh Valley, PA
  • 7 September: Bentonville, AR
  • 18 October: Greenville, SC

Gran Fondo Hincapie information and registration HERE

Photo Credit: Hincapie Sportswear

© 2019-2025 All Rights Reserved Gran Fondo Daily