The UCI Gran Fondo World Series heads to China this weekend for the second edition of the UCI Gran Fondo Qiandao Lake, building on the strong foundations laid during its debut last year. After attracting around 1,000 riders in its inaugural edition, the event has seen remarkable growth, selling out for 2026 with 4,000 participants representing more than 40 countries.
Set in the scenic Zhejiang province, with Hangzhou as its gateway city, the weekend promises a mix of fast racing and picturesque landscapes around the famous Qiandao Lake.
🕒 Fast and flat time trial kicks things off
Racing begins on Saturday with a 21 km individual time trial in Liangzhou, located approximately 30 minutes northwest of Hangzhou city centre. The course is designed as a straightforward out-and-back route along the river, offering ideal conditions for specialists.
With just 11 metres of elevation, the course is almost completely flat, favouring powerful riders capable of maintaining high speeds throughout. Precision pacing and aerodynamics will be key on what is expected to be one of the fastest time trials of the season in the series.
🚵♂️ A redesigned Granfondo on Sunday
On Sunday, attention shifts to the 97 km Granfondo, which has been redesigned compared to last year’s edition. This time, the route takes riders to the north side of Qiandao Lake, offering a varied but still accessible profile.
The course features:
- 4 categorised climbs
- 755 metres of total elevation gain
While none of the climbs are particularly long or steep, the repeated efforts are likely to split the field, rewarding riders who can combine endurance with punchy climbing ability.
