The UCI Gran Fondo World Series has published the provisional start list for the 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, set to take place in Niseko, Japan, from Thursday 27 August through Sunday 30 August. The list reflects registrations received by 01 August, with entries remaining open until 23 August, Japan time.
According to the organisers, the field already includes 1,456 riders from a record 67 nations — the most countries ever represented in the event’s history. The championship programme features an individual Time Trial in Kyowa, a Team Relay in Kutchan, and Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo road races across age-group categories, with Sunday’s fondo races serving as the marquee events.
Several 2025 world champions from Lorne, Australia, appear on the list as they chase back-to-back rainbow jerseys. Glenda Signorini (AUS) heads to Niseko as a dual defending champion, having won both the Time Trial and Medio Fondo titles in 2025. Gwenaelle Legendre (FRA) is looking to add another rainbow jersey to her collection in the Women’s 19-34 Gran Fondo. On the men’s side, Daniel Hochstrasser (AUT) returns to defend his Time Trial title in the Men’s 19-34 category, while Gilberto Gallardo (USA) and Matthew Sparno (AUS) will look to defend their Gran Fondo crowns. Alan Nelson (AUS), Roger Cull (AUS), John Thomas (FRA), Ed Chamberlain (AUS) and Andrew Knight (USA) will also return to chase another title in their respective men’s Time Trial categories.
One notable absence is 2025 Men’s 40-44 Time Trial World Champion Matthew Clark of the USA. Clark will not return to defend his title after accepting a three-year ban from the sport following a positive test for anabolic androgenic steroids collected on 16 October 2025 — the same day he won his rainbow jersey in Australia.
The case underscores the UCI’s commitment to anti-doping enforcement at the Gran Fondo World Championships, where positive tests can result in title forfeiture and multi-year suspensions regardless of whether the athlete competes at professional or amateur level.
View 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship Provisional Start List HERE
Find previous UCI Gran Fondo World Championship results HERE
Photo Credit: Hokkaido Events KK
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