The 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships got underway today in Kyowa Town near Niseko with the individual time trial championships. A total of 402 riders representing 52 nations raced against the clock in pursuit of 22 UCI world titles, with ten women’s and twelve men’s age-group categories on the programme. Women started first from old to young, followed by the men in the same order.
The first rainbow jerseys of the day were awarded shortly after the 7:00 a.m. start. In the Women 75-79 category, Mary Cullen (NZL) claimed victory in a New Zealand one-two ahead of compatriot Sharon Prutton (NZL), while Margaret Docking (GBR) completed the podium. In the corresponding Men 75-79 race, fellow New Zealander Tinsley James (NZL) delivered one of the most dominant rides of the day, winning by 1:17 over Japan’s Hatsumi Nakajima, with Tamio Tsumura (JPN) taking bronze a further 50 seconds back.
In the Women 70-74 race, Patricia Caldeira (USA) produced a dominant ride to beat defending champion Glenda Signorini (AUS). Caldeira stopped the clock with a margin of 2:22, while Mary Jones (NZL) secured bronze. The Men 70-74 title went to James Dickerson (USA), who held off defending world champion Roger Cull (AUS) by just 12 seconds, with Joel Katz (CAN) claiming bronze at 22 seconds.
Another new champion was crowned in the Women 65-69 category where Andrea Nightingale (GBR) captured the rainbow jersey ahead of Betsy Hard (USA). Home favourite Kanri Kikuchi (JPN) delighted local supporters by taking bronze. In the Men 65-69 category, reigning world champion Alan Nelson (AUS) successfully defended his title, finishing 26 seconds ahead of another former world champion Jim McMurray (NZL), while Tim Stone (USA) rounded out the podium.
Australia celebrated its first title of the day through Diane Otley-Doe, who powered to victory in the Women 60-64 category. Her winning margin of 1:07 over Jane Despas (USA) underlined her superiority, while Irmi Lehman (GER) rounded out the podium. Another reigning champion prevailed in the Men 60-64 category as Jorn Fjeldavlie (NOR) repeated his 2025 mediofondo triumph. The Norwegian finished 24 seconds ahead of John Madden (IRL) and 38 seconds clear of Brendon Sullivan (USA).
The Women 55-59 category delivered one of the closest contests of the day. Just 24 seconds separated the top three riders as Anne Elliott (AUS) secured the world title ahead of Karla Antonio (USA) and Bernarda Thompson (USA). The men’s race was equally competitive, with former world champion Robert Nunes (CRC) taking the rainbow jersey ahead of another former champion, Bruce Bird (CAN), by 17 seconds. Poland’s Adrian Jach secured bronze, holding off fourth place by a mere 0.46 seconds.
One of the most decorated riders in Gran Fondo history added another major success to her palmarès in the Women 50-54 division. Molly Van Houweling (USA) claimed a new world title, finishing 13 seconds ahead of defending champion Marina Letaeva, while former world champion Jeannie Blakemore completed the podium at 23 seconds. In the Men 50-54 race, Robert Braam (NED) secured the rainbow jersey ahead of Torbjørn Enger (NOR) by 14 seconds, while Girts Vevers (LAT) completed the podium at 19 seconds.
The Women 45-49 race saw a new name on the top step of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships podium. Simone Steffen (SUI) edged out Marcia Alejandra Barrios Carrasquel (VEN) by a razor-thin 1.27 seconds in the tightest finish of the day. Sarah Morrison (NZL) completed the top three. In the men’s event, Øystein Seth Fiskaa (NOR) won against defending champion Andrew Knight (USA) with a winning margin of 17 seconds, while Ioannis Zentelis (GRE) claimed bronze.
Poland celebrated its first rainbow jersey of the championships in the Women 40-44 category. Martyna Wisniewska delivered a powerful performance to defeat reigning champion Alina Mylka (POL) by 53 seconds, while Monique Brake (NZL) finished third. There was more success for Poland in the men’s equivalent category, where Wojciech Kuziara (POL) prevailed in one of the closest races of the day, beating Ladislav Rybarik (SVK) by just five seconds. Aleksandrs Zavoloks (LAT) completed the podium.
There was more Polish success in the Women 35-39 category as Ewelina Wolos (POL) triumphed after a fierce battle with Hayley Simmonds (GBR). Only five seconds separated the pair at the finish, with fellow Pole Ewelina Miernik (POL) securing bronze. In the men’s race, former Men 19-34 world champion Daniel Hochstrasser (AUT) successfully stepped up to the Men 35-39 category and added a second rainbow jersey to his collection. He finished 45 seconds ahead of Zack Morris (CAN), while Christopher Pulomenia (USA) took bronze at 48 seconds.
The final women’s rainbow jersey of the day went to Rotem Gafinowitz (ISR), who became world champion in the Women 19-34 category. Jin Feng (CHN) claimed the silver medal and a very first Chinese medal, while Ada Ogieglo (POL) added another podium finish to Poland’s impressive medal tally with bronze. The men’s 19-34 championship produced one of the closest battles of the championships as Glenn Van Nierop (NED) defeated Julian Braun (GER) by only 2.42 seconds. Aitar Zakarin, the last rider to roll off the start ramp, claimed bronze at 18 seconds.
The oldest men’s categories had no female equivalent. In the Men 80-84 race starting right after the young women, Colin Howkins (AUS) led an Australian one-two, edging compatriot Kevin Donovan (AUS) by just five seconds, while Russell Bell (GBR) secured bronze. In the Men 85-89 category, Marcel Eve (FRA) claimed the rainbow jersey, becoming the oldest world champion crowned on the opening day of competition at the age of 86.
With all 22 rainbow jerseys awarded, the opening day of the championships provided a memorable parade of international masters cycling, with riders from four continents reaching the top step of the podium. Tomorrow all focus is on the team relay where Poland defends its title from last year.
