15th Annual Belgian Waffle Ride California - May 2-3 - Register NOW!
United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Varvara and Panagiotis take titles at inaugral UCI Gran Fondo Loutraki in Greece
 
Add to My Favourites

Varvara and Panagiotis take titles at inaugral UCI Gran Fondo Loutraki in Greece

Panagiotis Chionis and Varvara Fasoi took top honors at the inaugural UCI Gran Fondo Loutraki qualifying race on Sunday, delivering commanding performances on the 113-kilometer coastal course.

Varvara and Panagiotis take titles at inaugral UCI Gran Fondo Loutraki in Greece

More than 400 riders from 25 countries contested the event in the seaside resort town on the Gulf of Corinth, with the top 25% in each UCI age and gender category earning automatic qualification to the August 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Niseko, Japan.  The event supports grassroots and competitive cycling development in Greece and seeks to provide a high-quality, internationally competitive experience for amateur and veteran riders alike.

Panagiotis Chionis, the 2024 World Deaf Cycling Champion, powered away from the field to finish solo in 2:48:48, crossing the line roughly two minutes ahead of runner-up Exarchopoulos Sotiris (2:50:29). Bertrand Lecoq (2:51:00) and Papageorgiou Alexandros (2:51:02) rounded out the top four as the peloton felt the impact of a fast, selective route that favored aggressive racing and strong time-trial efforts. Chionis’s decisive move and sustained tempo underlined his experience and endurance on a day when weather and coastal winds added tactical complexity.

In the women’s race, 34-year-old Varvara Fasoi left no doubt she was the strongest rider, claiming victory in 2:53:42. The nine-time Greek national champion controlled the race and held a comfortable margin over Stroubouli Danae (3:06:31) and Chatziioannidou Foteini (3:07:03), who took second and third respectively. Fasoi’s win highlights her continued dominance on the national scene and signals strong form ahead of international competition.

In the women’s race, 34-year-old Varvara Fasoi left no doubt she was the strongest rider

Riders who finished within the top 25% of their UCI age/gender categories secured automatic spots for the Gran Fondo World Championships in Niseko, a destination event scheduled for August 2026. The Loutraki race served both as a competitive showcase and as a key qualification opportunity for age-group athletes targeting the world stage. Organizers reported a diverse field representing 25 nations, reflecting growing interest in Gran Fondo racing in the region and the event’s success in attracting international entrants.

“Our goal was to stage a tough, fair qualifying race that would reward preparation and grit,” said the event director, “Seeing riders from so many countries tackle Loutraki’s coastal course and earn places for Niseko shows the event’s importance to the Gran Fondo calendar and to athletes aiming for world championship competition.”

2025 UCI Gran Fondo Loutraki Women's Podium

1. FASOI VARVARA (PANATHINAIKOS) 02:53:42
2. STROUBOULI DANAE (BEAT CYCLING) 03:06:31
3. CHATZIIOANNIDOU FOTEINI (ALFA CYCLING TEAM) 03:07:03

2025 UCI Gran Fondo Loutraki Men's Podium

1 CHIONIS PANAGIOTIS 02:48:48
2 EXARCHOPOULOS SOTIRIS (Α.Σ. ΑΛΦΑ ΚΑΛΛΙΘΕΑΣ) 02:50:29
3 BERTRAND LECOQ (MOYON VC) 02:51:00

2025 UCI Gran Fondo Loutraki results: https://my.esportevents.gr/results.php?id=20250082

 
Add to My Favourites
 
Tag: loutraki
 
Nov 02 2025 - NEWS: Varvara and Panagiotis take titles at inaugral UCI Gran Fondo Loutraki in Greece
 
Tag: ucigfwseries
 
Dec 11 2025 - NEWS: Severino and Quintero take victory at 2025 UCI Granfondo Colombia in Bogota
Dec 12 2025 - NEWS: Da Rocha and Le Ny take Victory at 2025 UCI Granfondo Guadeloupe
Dec 04 2025 - NEWS: UCI Gran Fondo World Series Welcomes 2026 Cape Town Cycle Tour
Nov 14 2025 - NEWS: 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Series expands with nine new events
Nov 10 2025 - NEWS: Rocha da Silva and Soares Claim Titles at UCI Gran Fondo Brasil
Nov 01 2025 - NEWS: Jill Patterson: the first American woman to win the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Oct 18 2025 - NEWS: Full report and results from the 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Australia
Oct 16 2025 - NEWS: The UCI and Golazo renew their partnership for the UCI World Series for Gran Fondo and Gravel
Oct 13 2025 - NEWS: 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Preview
Oct 06 2025 - NEWS: Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine Sends 3,000 Riders Toward 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Oct 02 2025 - NEWS: 2027 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships to be held in France
Sep 26 2025 - NEWS: UCI Awards 2029–2032 Gran Fondo World Championships to Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Denmark Respectively
Sep 08 2025 - NEWS: 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships to be held in Japan
Aug 31 2025 - NEWS: Leardini and Nardin Triumph at the 2025 UCI Granfondo Matildica
Jun 29 2025 - NEWS: Bautista and Raimondi Take Victory at UCI Granfondo Suisse
Feb 15 2026 - EVENT: Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge
Mar 08 2026 - EVENT: Cape Town Cycle Tour
Mar 22 2026 - EVENT: The Millars Gran Fondo
Apr 18 2026 - EVENT: Neusiedlersee Radmarathon
Apr 19 2026 - EVENT: UCI Gran Fondo Belgium
Apr 23 2026 - EVENT: 66 Degrés Sud
Apr 25 2026 - EVENT: 3RIDES Gran Fondo
May 09 2026 - EVENT: Sudety Tour
May 16 2026 - EVENT: Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo
May 17 2026 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Vosges
May 23 2026 - EVENT: UCI Gran Fondo Hangzhou Qiandao Lake
May 29 2026 - EVENT: Tour de Matra
May 30 2026 - EVENT: Schleck Gran Fondo
Jun 07 2026 - EVENT: Tartu Rattaralli
Jun 07 2026 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Costa Rica
 
s