Goclowska and Montgomery Take Victory at 2025 Highlands Gran Fondo
Over 900 cyclists participated, with 30 teams taking part in the Gran Competition and 146 riders qualifying for the 2025 Gran Fondo National Championships!
For the fifth year running the Highlands Gran Fondo sold out with over 900 cyclists from across the USA who enjoyed an amazing weekend in Butler, NJ at the 13th Annual Highlands Gran Fondo last weekend.
The Highlands Gran Fondo is arguably one of the most popular and best organized Gran Fondo’s in North America.
The hilly Highlands features breath-taking climbs, miles and miles of quiet country roads to highest po int in New Jersey. The Gran Route crosses the Appalachian trail eight times with participants commenting “It’s so hard to believe riding this good is located so close to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area?”
There were three distances on offer allowing for cyclists of all abilities to experience the stunning Hilly Highlands region, all backed up by GFNS fully stocked feed stations, marked and marshalled courses, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles.
Riders chose either the 103-mile Gran Route with 4 timed sections and 7,500 feet of climbing, the 63-mile Medio route with 3 timed sections and 4,400 feet of climbing, or the 36-mile Piccolo Route with 2 timed sections and 2,600 feet of climbing.
Afterwards everyone celebrated at the best Post Ride Party you’ll ever find at a finish line at High Point Brewery company, brewery of the award winning Ramstein Beers!
Along with a fresh hot meal and great comradery shared amongst riders, the awards followed with the legendary Post Ride Raffle with more than $5000 in prizes from Series sponsors.
The Post ride party was the chance for everyone to let their hair down, relax and enjoy some great beers with fellow riders, the post ride part is a fun time for all! Race director Reuben Kline was on hand to convincing riders into doing pushes and other physical acts, like how can stand on one foot the longest for prizes!
In the tougher Gran Fondo women’s category Gosia Goclowska from Middle Village NY was fastest over the 4 timed sections in 49:26.85 ahead of Laura Schulte New York NY in second and Susan Haid Chester NJ in third place.
In the Gran Fondo overall, Dan Montgomery from Andover NJ was fastest in a time 43:15.42, 0.86 seconds faster than Jeremy Scheid from Newton NJ in second place and Mateo Sanchezc from Woodland Park NJ in third place.
In the Medio Gran Fondo women’s category Kai Luigend Morillo from Washington DC was fastest in a time of 39:14.99 and Richard Ferraro from Montclair NJ was fastest overall in 37:14.04.
In the Piccolo Fondo women’s category, Amber Zaharchuk from Burlington CT was fastest in a time of 38:05.43 and Timothy Irving from Kinnelon NJ was fastest overall in a time of 34:28.86.
This year’s Gran Fondo Team entries surpassed expectations, with over 30 teams of three riders taking part on 103 mile route. The Gran Fondo National Series has proved itself as one of the best providers of a competitive cycling team event which is gaining popularity with cycling clubs across the USA.
Over 146 cyclists qualified for the 2025 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, to be held during Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, MD on September 14, 2025.
Richard who rode said afterwards “Great event and many thanks to the event coordinators, sponsors and volunteers who made it special. We had a blast!!”
Gran Overall Podium
1. Gosia Goclowska Middle Village NY 49:26.85
2. Laura Schulte New York NY +2:51.78
3. Susan Haid Chester NJ +4:01.50
1. Dan Montgomery Andover NJ 43:15.42
2. Jeremy Scheid Newton NJ+0:00.86
3. Mateo Sanchezc Woodland Park NJ +0:10.22
Medio Overall Podium
1. Kai Luigend Morillo Washington DC 39:14.99 --
2. Kathleen Jennings New York NY +6:58
3. Idy Judowitz Lkwd NJ +7:20
1. Richard Ferraro Montclair NJ 37:14.04 --
2. Yevhenii Kovalenko Wayne NJ +0:10
3. Peter Sisti Oradell NJ +1:25
Piccolo Overall Podium
1. Amber Zaharchuk Burlington CT 38:05.43 --
2. Joan Dyer Towaco NJ +2:53
3. Johanna Garcia Ocean NJ +2:58
1. Timothy Irving Kinnelon NJ 34:28.86 --
2. Andrea Serrajotto New Providence NJ +1:07
3. David Mertz Stewartsville NJ +1:43
Team Overall Podium
1. Team Solutions Cycling - Time after Bonus: 2:09:17.76
Dan Montgomery, Jeremy Scheid and Justin Afflitto
2. Crca/Onyx - Time after Bonus: 2:14:20.89
Mateo Sanchez, Cristian Rios and Hernando Rueda
3. Hilltop Racing Team - Time after Bonus: 2:17:33.10
Juan D Fonseca, Mayron Betancur and Daniel Arango
The Beneficiary of Gran Fondo Highlands is the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Patriots’ Path Council, #358.
Link to 2025 Highlands Gran Fondo Results: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/highlands-2025-results
Next Up: Inaugural Gran Fondo Utah
This highly anticipated ride will take place in Payson, Utah, on June 7, 2025, promising cyclists of all levels an unforgettable journey through stunning Utah landscapes
There are 3 routes on offer for all abilities of road cyclists. The Gran Fondo Utah showcases some of the best riding around the Wasatch Front. From riding up the Nebo Loop climb used in 4 previous editions of the iconic Tour of Utah, or through the picturesque Goshen Canyon and fruit orchards along Utah Lake, the Gran Fondo Utah will be a visual feast for the eyes while creating a sense of accomplishment for the body.
Photo: the Nebo Loop climb was used in 4 previous editions of the iconic Tour of Utah
Starting and Finish at Memorial Park in the shadow of Mt. Nebo in Payson, UT, the 35 Piccolo Fondo contains 1,000 feet of climbing. It heads north towards Utah Lake, and at Spanish Fork the route turns south west. For the more competitive riders it contains one timed section of nearly 9 miles where you can go all out and test your performance along the shores of the lake before reaching the aid station at Genola and then returning back to Payson.
The 60 mile Medio Fondo continues south after the aid station at Genola. At Goshen the second timed section starts as you climb up through the scenic Goshen Canyon to the lavender farm at Young Living and the second aid station. Then it’s a beautiful amble ride along Rocky Ridge at over 5,000 feet above sea level, before reaching Santaquin and enjoying the descent down into Payson with 1,800 feet of climbing.
The 93 mile Gran Fondo continues south from Mona to Nephi for the second aid station. It heads east for the third timed section on the climb of the Mount Nebo Scenic Loop. You’ll climb up another 4,000 feet to reach 9,250 feet above sea level overlooking Mt. Nebo and North Peak. Your efforts will be rewarded with the third aid station before you enjoy the thrilling hair pinned descent down Mount Nebo Scenic Highway all the way back to Payson! The Gran includes 6,680 feet of climbing and is a challenging day out!
The fun isn’t over as the event coincides with the Adventure Day’s festival in Payson, with local food, music, and family-friendly activities for all riders, families and spectators alike.
After your ride, kick back and celebrate with a refreshing beer and a hot meal of choice from multiple food truck options. Raise a glass to your accomplishment and enjoy the perfect post-ride reward in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Cheers to a great ride and even better company!
There is also the legendary Gran Fondo National Series Raffle with over $5000 of prizes to give out from Series sponsors, and ALL riders are eligible to win!
Gran Fondo Utah is poised to become a must-attend event for cycling enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers!
Ride with confidence on the marked and marshalled course, supported by law enforcement, safety motos, mechanic and sag vehicles, and staffed feed stations.
The event offers cyclists in the Rocky Mountain region more opportunity to earn National Series Points and to qualify for the 2025 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, which is in turn a UCI Gran Fondo World Championships qualifying event.
For more information, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-utah or click the button below to register now.
