Fort Collins, Colorado, hosted the 11th running of the FoCo Fondo gravel race on Sunday 19 July, with riders tackling gravel distances of up to 118 miles. Now in its second decade, the event has built a reputation as one of the more challenging and rewarding stops on the U.S. gravel calendar, offering a $15,000 prize purse.
The women’s Quadruple Elite title went to Texan Lauren Stephens in 06:11:43 — her third straight FoCo Fondo victory after wins in 2024 and 2025. France’s Cecile Lejeune finished second, 5 minutes 10 seconds behind, with Hannah Shell third and Alexis Skarda fourth.
Stephens, 39, is no stranger to the top step of the podium. She won the 2021 U.S. road national championship, the 2023 Pan American Games road race, the 2024 Pan American Road Championship and three consecutive USA Cycling Gravel National Championships (2023-2025).
The day also produced a familiar family storyline as her husband, Mat Stephens, won the separate Quadruple Dog Dare You 118-mile open category in 06:17:32, edging Nick D’hulster in a finish-line sprint. The 44-year-old, who met Lauren while working at a Texas bike shop, has enjoyed a two-decade racing career that includes the 2004 U.S. Madison national title, gravel victories at DK200/Unbound, Barry-Roubaix and, most recently, the 2026 Mid South.
In the men’s Quadruple Elite race over 118 miles, New Zealand’s Caleb Bottcher out-sprinted American Matthew Saldana in a photo finish, the pair credited with a final time of 05:26:46. It was the biggest U.S. result yet for the 25-year-old from Palmerston North, who has built a stateside race schedule this season, finishing 44th at Unbound Gravel and 18th at the Leadville Trail 100 MTB.
Benjamin Perry completed the podium 1 minute 11 seconds behind, while former professional road racer Gavin Mannion finished fourth.
FoCo Fondo gravel results HERE
Photo Credit: Emily Sierra Photos @em.sierra
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