Verena Dewies and Ted Schneider fastest at 2026 Grand Rapids Gran Fondo
Michigan’s Signature Cycling Event, the KeyBank Gran Fondo was Michigan’s Big Ride on July 27, 2026 attract over 1,000 cyclists.
The 2026 Grand Rapids Gran Fondo once again delivered Michigan’s signature cycling celebration, attracting more than a thousand riders to downtown Grand Rapids for a day of endurance, community, and charity. With three routes and a family ride — the 80-mile Gran Fondo, the 38-mile Medio, and the 20-mile Piccolo — cyclists of all levels took on fast roads, rolling terrain, and warm summer conditions. The event continued its partnership with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, raising another $50,000 in 2026 and bringing the total to more than $190,000 over the past three years.
In the 80-mile Gran Fondo men’s race, Ted Schneider claimed the overall victory in 3:28:19 after a tightly contested sprint finish. He edged out Lupe Martinez, who finished in the same time but three seconds behind on adjusted gap, and Danny Carpenter, who crossed just one second later. The trio delivered one of the closest podium battles in event history, with all three riders separated by mere seconds.
The women’s Gran Fondo saw an equally tight contest at the front, with Verena Dewies taking the win in 3:59:34. Jill Martinek followed just two seconds later, and Jennifer Pero finished another two seconds behind Martinek. All three women completed the course within a four-second window, showcasing exceptional pacing and resilience over the 80-mile route.
The 38-mile Medio men’s race produced a high-speed tactical showdown. Carlos Hernandez secured the win in 1:37:24, holding off Kyle Rogala, who finished one second later on the clock and twenty-four seconds back on adjusted gap. Richard Haslinger completed the top three with a time of 1:37:26, rounding out a podium defined by tight margins and aggressive finishing speed.
In the women’s Medio, Monica Mulder delivered one of the standout performances of the entire event, winning in 1:37:28 and finishing inside the overall top ten. Kelly Hayes took second in 2:00:15, followed by Dawn Hinz in 2:01:38. Mulder’s dominant ride set her far ahead of the rest of the women’s field, while Hayes and Hinz battled closely for the remaining podium positions.
The 20-mile Piccolo men’s race featured explosive early pacing, with Paul Arends taking the win in 1:03:27. Eric Durbin finished seven seconds behind to secure second place, and Jesus Ginez claimed third in 1:04:09 after a strong solo effort. The top three riders set a fast tone for the shortest route of the day, pushing hard from the start.
In the women’s Piccolo, Damika Lesman topped the field with a winning time of 1:16:50. Lee Ann McGarry followed in 1:17:31, and Barbara Johnson finished third in 1:19:31. Lesman’s confident ride kept her well ahead of the competition, while McGarry and Johnson rounded out a competitive podium.
The 2026 Grand Rapids Gran Fondo once again proved why it remains one of Michigan’s premier cycling events — a celebration of athleticism, community, and charitable impact, strengthened by close racing and standout performances across all categories.
2026 Grand Rapids 80 mile Gran Fondo Top 10 Men
1. Ted Schneider — 3:28:19 — +0:00
2. Lupe Martinez — 3:28:19 — +0:00:20
3. Danny Carpenter — 3:28:20 — +0:00:19
4. Jafet De La Rosa — 3:28:20 — +0:00:20
5. Joe Miles — 3:28:21 — +0:00:23
6. Jake Baker — 3:28:22 — +0:00:11
7. Christopher Boer — 3:28:22 — +0:00:21
8. Andrew Pries — 3:28:22 — +0:00:19
9. Brian Cornell — 3:28:22 — +0:00:17
10. Craig Bellissimo — 3:28:22 — +0:00:17
2026 Grand Rapids 80 mile Gran Fondo Top 10 Women
1. Verena Dewies — 3:59:34 — +0:31:21
2. Jill Martinek — 3:59:36 — +0:31:23
3. Jennifer Pero — 3:59:38 — +0:31:20
4. Lindsey Fox — 4:08:35 — +0:40:27
5. Carol Reiss — 4:14:09 — +0:45:58
6. Tarra Daprato — 4:31:57 — +1:03:36
7. Jennifer Urbaniak — 4:38:20 — +1:09:30
8. Chloe Bolt — 4:43:20 — +1:15:05
9. Erin Fouts — 4:45:02 — +1:16:44
10. Krista Brown — 4:47:48 — +1:18:54
2026 Grand Rapids 38 mile Medio Top 10 Men
1. Carlos Hernandez — 1:37:24 — +0:00
2. Kyle Rogala — 1:37:25 — +0:00:24
3. Richard Haslinger — 1:37:26 — +0:00:23
4. Cade Vruggink — 1:37:26 — +0:00:23
5. Brian Vanzweden — 1:37:26 — +0:00:28
6. Michael Voevodsky — 1:37:27 — +0:00:34
7. Matthew Ohl — 1:37:27 — +0:00:29
8. Edward Chapman — 1:37:28 — +0:00:30
9. Monica Mulder — 1:37:28 — +0:00:22
10. Josiah Snellink — 1:47:19 — +0:10:16
2026 Grand Rapids 38 mile Medio Top 10 Women
1. Monica Mulder — 1:37:28 — +0:00:22
2. Kelly Hayes — 2:00:15 — +0:23:14
3. Dawn Hinz — 2:01:38 — +0:24:29
4. Rylee Templar — 2:02:31 — +0:25:27
5. Kristina Bem — 2:02:32 — +0:25:05
6. Amanda Narvaes — 2:02:35 — +0:25:13
7. Mary Fournier — 2:03:09 — +0:26:09
8. Nathalie Gardon — 2:06:25 — +0:29:12
9. Katie Cuthbert — 2:09:21 — +0:32:15
10. Patricia Weiss — 2:10:30 — +0:32:28
2026 Grand Rapids 20 mile Piccolo Fondo Top 10 Men
1. Paul Arends — 1:03:27 — +0:00
2. Eric Durbin — 1:03:34 — +0:07
3. Jesus Ginez — 1:04:09 — +1:03
4. Michael Keller — 1:09:43 — +6:28
5. Owen Dekorne — 1:10:19 — +7:10
6. Josh Wiersma — 1:10:20 — +6:49
7. Landon Lacey — 1:10:27 — +7:14
8. Kevin Punches — 1:10:29 — +7:22
9. Josh Albrecht — 1:10:29 — +7:23
10. Ben Drabek — 1:10:32 — +7:10
2026 Grand Rapids 20 mile Piccolo Fondo Top 10 Women
1. Damika Lesman — 1:16:50 — +0:13:31
2. Lee Ann McGarry — 1:17:31 — +0:14:16
3. Barbara Johnson — 1:19:31 — +0:16:20
4. Alida Ward — 1:19:31 — +0:16:21
5. Kristen Nicholoff — 1:20:43 — +0:16:58
6. Brianna Mendoza — 1:22:02 — +0:18:48
7. Sarai Ramirez — 1:22:04 — +0:18:53
8. Carla Carani — 1:22:07 — +0:18:05
9. Megan Punches — 1:22:13 — +0:18:49
10. Victoria McCloud — 1:22:28 — +0:18:59
Link to 2026 Grand Rapids Gran Fondo Results: https://results.tris4health.com/results/147200