This past Sunday Gran Fondo Isle of Man took place for the last time, with the 10th edition marred by a bit of mayhem and numerous crashes.

Despite crashing twice on wet roads as slick as ice, a fearless Zachary Walker (TEAM BIKESTYLE) won the 85 mile gran fondo in 3:44:51, followed by last year’s runner up pro triathlete Will Draper at 3:52:39. Up and coming 19 year-old Ivan Sorby was third at 4:02:23.

Walker’s first crashed happened early on a wet descent, but he remounted to join an elite breakaway with former winner Tyler Hannay, Draper and Sorby.

But Walker’s bad luck was not over.

On a slick as snot hairpin turn halfway through the race the front group slid out, with all four butt surfing across wet asphalt. While Walker, Draper and Sorby remounted, Hannay did not and abandoned. Soon thereafter a chase group of five entered the same hairpin turn… with the same results, everyone crashing.

While Walker continued at a time trial race pace, Draper and Sorby opted for discretion is the better part of valor, easing up so as to save their skin for bigger goals.

18 year-old neo-pro Ruby Oakes (DAS HUTCHINSON) won the women’s competition in 4:17:48 after leading from start to finish. Emily Nash and Jess Gault survived to finish second and third respectively.

Although 1000 riders participated in the final Gran Fondo Isle of Man, organizers say they will no longer put on the mass start closed road race due to logistical challenges. Instead, they plan to host a gravel only fondo in 2026.

Complete Gran Fondo Isle of Man results HERE

Photo Credit: GF IOM

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