2026 Oregon Triple Crown Series

Top 10 European Gran Fondos for 2026

Top10-European-Gran-Fondo-2026

It's been another bumper year for cycling events.

The number of Gran Fondo format events continues to grow steadily year on year.

As a symbol of freedom and a heathy and sustainable lifestyle, there is no better icon than the bicycle, arguably one of the most efficient means of transportation ever invented. It's eco credentials are a shining example in a world that is working towards net zero.

The global Gran Fondo phenomenon continues. So, sit back, relax and grab your favorite drink as we recognize some of the best organized events out there.

Gran Fondo Guide has reached its 14th year of operation, the World's Leading Amateur Cycling Platform has reached a global audience of over 5.2 million unique users.

Make sure you add at least one of these outstanding events to your Bucket List in 2026!

The awards are best viewed on your computer or a widescreen tablet. It may take some time fully download because of the amount of images. So grab your favorite drink while it arrives.

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#10 L'Etape Slovenia

The fifith edition of L'Etape Slovenia by Tour de France is scheduled for September 5–6, 2026, and will be hosted once more by the city of Kranj, the capital of the Gorenjska region.

The 3rd and 4th editions of the L'Étape Slovenia by Tour de France, sold out in advance.

Registration for the Sunday race is open, heralding a new contest for the coveted Tour de France Yellow, Green, Polka Dot and White jerseys! We invite you to join the growing international community of amateur road cyclists and partake in this legendary event.

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#9 Paris-Roubaix Challenge

Have you always dreamed of participating in a bicycle race in the same conditions - or nearly so- as the professionals?

If so, the Paris-Roubaix Challenge is waiting for you. 24 hours before the pros, join cycling enthusiasts from around the world and face the legendary Hell of the North, which is among the most celebrated races in the world of cycling.

Test your mettle against the legend of the Hell of the North and its fabled cobbled sectors, including the Carrefour de l'Arbre and the Trouée d'Arenberg.

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#8 Dragon Ride

The UK’s Toughest Sportive Returns, the 22nd edition of the Dragon Ride is set for 14th June, 2026.

One of the most iconic mass-participation cycling events in the UK, the Dragon Ride, will return to the spectacular Brecon Beacons.

Renowned as the toughest sportive in the country, the Dragon Ride has become a must do in the cycling calendar.

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#7 Marmotte Gran Fondo Alps

The 55th edition of the Marmotte Granfondo Alpes is the must-attend international cycling event and the most important one-day cycling event of the summer in the Alps after the Tour de France.

Ready to tackle four of France's most legendary mountain passes?

The Glandon, the Télégraphe, the Galibier, and finally the final climb up Alpe d'Huez await you!

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#6 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Challenge

8000 cyclists tackled 2025 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Challenge. 

Cycling Fans are able to ride the same route as the professionals during the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Challenge a day before the Pro's. Another sold-out edition!

38% of the 8,000 cyclists were Belgian with riders as far away as Indonesia, England, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands and even Brazil made up the peloton for this 2025 edition.
 
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#5 Maratona dles Dolomites Enel Gran Fondo

Nearly 33,000 cyclists registered for 2025 Maratona dles Dolomites Enel Gran Fondo in advance. The draw took place in the second half of November 2025 when 9,000 lucky cyclists were selected

Covering seven spectacular mountain passes in the Dolomites, and open to amateur cyclists, the 39th edition of the 2026 Maratona, will host around 9,000 riders from over 72 nations - is one of the biggest Italian Granfondo bicycle races.

The race offers three courses to suit all abilities of road cyclists, the 138km Maratona course with 4,230m of climbing being one of the hardest one day Granfondos in the world.

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#4 We Ride Flanders

The Tour of Flanders Gran Fondo is regarded as a bucket-list ride for amateur cyclists, drawing over 15,000 participants each year.

The event typically takes place the day before the professional Tour of Flanders, allowing cycling enthusiasts to experience the same challenging route as the pros. However, this year’s event will be remembered for its tragic incidents rather than its celebratory spirit.

10,000 cyclists, so two out of three participants, came from outside Belgium. According to the organisers, cyclists from 67 different countries took part in 2025.

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#3 Gran Fondo Nove Colli

The stunning scenery as you climb through Italian hills before descending back down the Adriatic coast is one of many reasons why cyclists who love to travel should add the Nove Colli to their 2026 Bucket List.

Add in a splash of Italian wine, great food and a seaside resort steeped in the history of Marco Pantani, Fausto Coppi and five decades of hosting Gran Fondo’s and the Giro d’Italia and you have the recipe for a classic Italian Gran Fondo. 

The event dates back to 1971 when 17 riders took part and is acknowledged by Gran Fondo Guide as "the oldest gran fondo", the first to ever take place.

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#2 Etape du Tour

The sold out 2026 Étape du Tour replicates Stage 20 of the 2026 Tour de France, a brutal 170 km route from Le Bourg-d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez, with 5,400 meters of climbing and over 16,000 amateurs participating.

Revealed earlier this year, the 2026 Tour de France route features punishing back-to-back Alpe d'Huez stages.
 
This is one of the most demanding Étape editions ever, offering amateur cyclists the chance to ride the same legendary Alpine stage as the pros just days before the Tour’s finale.
 
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#1 Mallorca 312

The Mallorca 312 OK Mobility gran fondo has once again confirmed its status as a key event on the international cycling calendar, with all 8,500 available entries for the 2026 edition reported to have sold out instantly upon registration opening in October 2025.

Next year’s 16th edition will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The premium, closed-road event is hosted in Platja de Muro and attracts riders from all over the world to explore Mallorca’s landscapes, including the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, over one of its three distances: 312km, 225km, or 167km.

The organising team stated, “Selling out so quickly is the best validation of the team’s work, and of the support from our partners and volunteers. We’ll continue raising the bar in safety, experience, and sustainability to ensure every participant enjoys their best day on the bike in Mallorca.”
 
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