The 18th edition of the Colnago Lake Garda Cycling Festival came to a close on Sunday with the popular Granfondo Colnago race. Over 4,000 worldwide participants took part to celebrate one of the sport’s most iconic companies.
The festival is a fitting tribute to Ernesto Colnago, who founded the company in 1954 in Cambiago, a small town east of Milan, after a crash ended his competitive career. Within three years, a Colnago frame carried Gastone Nencini to victory at the Giro d’Italia. During his years with the Molteni team, Eddy Merckx won almost every road race there was, making Colnago craftsmanship world-famous.
That legacy resonates deeply with the thousands of loyal fans and amateur cyclists who make the annual pilgrimage to Lake Garda. The 2026 edition drew riders from over 30 countries, with multiple nations selling out their allocated bibs under a new regional allocation system introduced to ensure fair and inclusive participation.
The Granfondo offered two competitive routes: the Lungo at 140 kilometres and the Medio at 108 kilometres, alongside the non-competitive Beauties of D’Annunzio short route.
On the Gran Fondo Lungo, Alberto Nardin (MG.K VIS-Promotech-FMB) won the men’s race in 3:33:21, with Francesco Di Felice and Danilo Celano — both Team Go Fast — finishing together almost seven minutes later on that order. In the women’s Lungo, Roberta Bussone took victory in 4:03:03, with Elisa Leardini 37 seconds back and Lorenza Beccaria a further 67 seconds adrift in third.
The Medio Fondo men’s race produced a breathless finish. Stefano Zoppi (ASD Capitani Minuterie Metalliche) claimed victory in 2:47:53, with Aldo Caiati (Team OOP! – Xanten) just one second back. Mirko Mauri (Team Garda Matergia) completed the podium, 27 seconds down. In the women’s Medio, Valentina Brivio (Team OOP!) won in 3:07:04, with Maria Donzelli just behind and Anna Cadorin third at 3:52.
Full 2026 Granfondo Colnago results are available HERE
Photo Credit: Facebook/colnagocyclingfestival
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