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United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Mazenot and Perkins Take Victory at 2025 Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie
 
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Mazenot and Perkins Take Victory at 2025 Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie 

The seventh edition of Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie drew 600 riders to southwest Nova Scotia for a sunlit day of cycling, camaraderie and community spirit

Mazenot and Perkins Take Victory at 2025 Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie

The event, Atlantic Canada’s largest Gran Fondo, featured three distances — the classic 128 km Gran, the 67 km Medio and the 35 km Piccolo — with more than 240 riders choosing the longer Gran and Medio routes that wind through inland lakes, rivers and a stunning coastal ribbon along Baie Sainte-Marie.

The seventh edition of Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie drew 600 riders to southwest Nova Scotia

In a tightly contested 128 km Gran Fondo, Andrew Perkins of Hectanooga crossed the line first in 3:13:38, edging Halifax’s Matt Kamermans by two seconds. Devin Doiron of Rogersville, New Brunswick rounded out the podium, 13 seconds back.

In the women’s Gran division, Moncton’s Lucile Mazenot posted the fastest time at 3:38:24, followed by Rachel Ouellette of Petit Cap (3:46:33) and Baie Verte’s Jennifer Clarke (3:48:51).

On the shorter courses, Halifax’s Marilyn Pincock won the 67 km Medio in 2:02:48, and Halifax’s Karen Murphy took top honors in the 35 km Piccolo with a time of 1:18:07.

The energy this year was incredible — riders, volunteers and local businesses all pulled together to make a memorable day

“The energy this year was incredible — riders, volunteers and local businesses all pulled together to make a memorable day,” said Larry Peach from the organizing committee. “We celebrate the winners, but we’re most proud of the way this event brings people to our region and highlights the generosity of our community.”

More than 120 community volunteers helped run the event, supported by a local organizing committee that includes staff from the Municipality of Clare’s Community Development Department and dozens of community members.

Community leaders included Pam Doucet (President), Renée Blinn (Volunteer Coordinator), Michel Hachey (Logistics), Larry Peach (Promotion), Jessica Walker-Dion (Equipment), Louanne Doucet (Registration), Ashley Hanks (Secretary) and Réanne Flynn (Finance).

Community leaders included Pam Doucet (President), Renée Blinn (Volunteer Coordinator), Michel Hachey (Logistics), Larry Peach (Promotion), Jessica Walker-Dion (Equipment), Louanne Doucet (Registration), Ashley Hanks (Secretary) and Réanne Flynn (Finance).

The day also showcased the strength of local hospitality and quick thinking. Steve Ross and Shelley Scherer of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had their car rear-ended on the way to the Medio and arrived with two destroyed bicycles. The race team and local volunteers immediately stepped in — lending two bikes so the visitors could ride as planned, an act that left the couple “delighted” and underscored the event’s welcoming spirit.

Riders praised the scenic course that winds past towering churches, rolling inland roads and panoramic coastal stretches hugging Baie Sainte-Marie. Organizers say course feedback will help shape next year’s routes and rider services as the event continues to grow in scope and popularity.

“What an amazing day for cycling in Clare,” continued Larry Peach, “Everyone was happy, everything went very well. The weather was perfect, the cyclists, volunteers and organizers were very happy. This was undoubtedly one of the best editions of the Fondo. As I made the announcements at the finish line, I could see that everyone was having a pleasant and enriching time!”
 
The organizing committee would like to thank all the volunteers, participants, sponsors and partners for another successful event! It takes a cohesive community to pull off an event with so many moving parts! THANK YOU!!! 
 
The next Gran Fondo 2026 will take place on September 13, 2026, in the new Saulnierville Veterans Centre building. The Gran Fondo will now take place annually, as it did before the pandemic, instead of every two years, as is currently the case.
 
Link to 2025 Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie Results: https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-CA/results/ym5kxwapjn5zwwzb/results

The next Gran Fondo 2026 will take place on September 13, 2026, in the new Saulnierville Veterans Centre building