Gran Fondo Isle of Man returned to the calendar on Sunday 26 July, but in a radically different guise, as organisers staged the event’s first off-road edition after a decade as a closed-road gran fondo.
The 100km point-to-point course took riders from Ramsey to Port Erin, crossing private farmland, forests, former railway lines and a historic airfield. The gravel and XC MTB races started at 09:30 from Mooragh Promenade, capping a weekend that began on Saturday with the junior Minisculo Fondo and the non-competitive Gran Fondo Challenge sportive.
The switch to gravel followed a difficult 2025, when organisers confirmed the closed-road gran fondo — a UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifier from 2021 to 2024 — would not continue beyond its tenth edition because of rising logistical demands.
Elite triathlete Will Draper, a regular podium contender on the former road course, adapted seamlessly to the new terrain, winning the men’s gravel race in 03:08:47. Adam Kelly, the field’s only full-time professional, finished 1 minute 41 seconds back in second, with Ramsey’s Leon Mazzone completing the podium 6 minutes 39 seconds behind. Mark Horsthuis and Under-21 winner Roch Morgan rounded out the top five.
In the women’s race, Cayley Bolton claimed a decisive solo victory in 04:22:10. Jacqui Fletcher, the leading local rider before the race and a former Commonwealth Games mountain biker, finished second and won the Women 50+ category in 04:43:26.
With the debut delivered safely and competitively, organisers expect the gravel format to give the event a sustainable future on the island’s cycling calendar.
Gran Fondo Isle of Man results HERE
Photo Credit: Gran Fondo Isle of Man
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