BENTOVILLE, Ark. — Official courses have been set for the Gran Fondo Hincapie, a new event in September offering riders scenic loops of northwest Arkansas.
The event is Sept. 7-8, in partnership with Visit Bentonville, the Ozark Foundation and Runway Group. A Junior Challenge will be held for cyclists ages 10-18, along with a Family Fun Festival.
“What’s great is you have flat to rolling hills, wide open countryside, and you come in and out of Bentonville. There’s a little something for everybody,” said event director Jamie Godfrey. “It’s not just for the serious cyclists. It’s for someone who may have never been to a Gran Fondo or mass participation event before.”
On Sept. 7, riders will experience an abundance of rolling hills. The course heads north out of Bentonville, through Bella Vista, Ark., and then makes an eastern loop into Missouri. Day One course statistics:
- Gran – 86.5 Miles | 4,848 feet of elevation gain | 3 Timed Climbs | 3 Rest Stops (full route here)
- Medio – 55 Miles | 3,428 feet of elevation gain | 3 Timed Climbs, 2 Rest Stops (full route here)
- Piccolo – 18.1 Miles | 1,136 feet of elevation gain | 1 Timed Climb (view the full route here)
On Sept. 8, riders will head north out of Bentonville, ride through Bella Vista, and then make a western loop through Missouri. Day Two course statistics:
- Gran – 84.3 Miles | 4,893 feet of elevation gain | 3 Timed Climbs | 4 Rest Stops (full route here)
- Medio – 43.7 Miles | 2,788 feet of elevation gain | 2 Timed Climbs, 2 Rest Stops (full route here)
- Piccolo – 18 Miles | 1,136 feet of elevation gain | 1 Timed Climb (view the full route here)
Junior Challenge
Junior Challenge participants will ride the Medio courses but have their own staging and start corral. Riders will be required to present a current 2024 USA Cycling or UCI license. Cash and prizes will be awarded for the top age 10-18 riders.
Junior riders 18-under not interested in racing may register for any of the Fondo distances for free.
“There is simply not enough racing for Juniors around the country. When I grew up, I could race almost every weekend in big fields. We need to bump that back up,” said George Hincapie. “We have a great crop of American professionals now who are helping to elevate the sport in the minds of young riders across the country.
“For young riders to have a professional World Tour-looking stage, it’s a great opportunity,” he said. “Hopefully from starting an event like this, they continue to grow their passion for the sport and never want to leave it, keep getting better, and keep making their lives about cycling. We want to continue to see and grow youth cycling in the United States.”
About the Gran Fondo Hincapie
The Gran Fondo Hincapie is more than just a “big ride.” Registration includes two days of rides along with a Family Fun Festival. This includes gourmet food, entertainment, podium awards and drinks alongside friends, family and thousands of other cyclists. Participants also receive an event jersey, chip timing, on-course SAG support, fully stocked rest stops, and free participant photography.
“People are coming in and spending a whole weekend here. People are signing up for both days, which offers them two different riding experiences. They’re staying for two nights, hopefully enjoying The Momentary, and eating at our restaurants,” said Jamie Cathey with Visit Bentonville.
“For a group of people who might not have thought that Bentonville was a spot for them, this [event] exposes that road group. Now we’re getting another group of people to know what we know, which is there is a really amazing cycling culture here, and there is a place for them, too, on the road cycling side.”
