Amateur cycling’s L’Étape by Tour de France series delivered two thrilling races on Sunday 06 September 2026, with photo-finishes in both Kranj, Slovenia, and Villahermosa, Mexico.
At L’Étape Slovenia, the 130km gran fondo came down to a seven-rider sprint, with Slovenian Marko Emersic winning the men’s race in 03:12:41, holding off former Dutch professional Johnny Hoogerland by just half a wheel, with Slovakia’s Lubomir Murarik right behind. In the women’s race, multiple UCI Gran Fondo World champion Laura Simenc Kramar of Slovenia took the win in 03:24:04, finishing more than nine minutes clear of Solvenia’s Maja Mencigar and Andrea Heged of Croatia.
Patric Mikac won the shorter 80km medio fondo in 01:48:13, with Eva Goropecnike taking the women’s race in 02:01:28.
Across the Atlantic in Mexico, the inaugural L’Étape Tabasco drew 1,272 riders through the municipalities of Centro, Teapa, Tacotalpa and Jalapa. With one kilometre to go, five riders were still vying for the win on the 132.6km route. Just as in Kranj, the race produced a tight finish, with local rider Juan Francisco Hernández Pérez holding on to claim the L’Étape title in 03:14:54. Rodrigo Blancas Reyes finished just one second behind, with Jesús Jorge Hernández Romero two seconds further back. Julieta García Justo won the women’s long route in 03:27:33, with Mayadin Velazquez Garcia and Pachela Gaudiano Rovirosa rounding out the podium.
Both events underline the growing international reach of the L’Étape series, which now features more than 30 events in 20 countries, pairing Tour de France-worthy routes with exciting competition for amateur age-group riders.
View L’Etape Slovenia results HERE
View L’Etape Tabasco results HERE
Photo Credit: L’Etape Tabasco
© 2026 Copyright Gran Fondo Daily News – All Rights Reserved