Full report and results from the 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Australia

Jeroen van Voorden and Jill Patterson Claim Victory at Thrilling 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Lorne.

The 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships delivered a spectacular day of racing along the Great Ocean Road as Jeroen van Voorden (NED) and Jill Patterson (USA) captured the overall titles on the demanding 131km Gran course. Racers battled sharp climbs, coastal winds and fierce head-to-head sprints to decide the podium in what became one of the most exciting editions of the event.

The peloton faced an early test on the Benwerrin summit before threading through Deans Marsh, Barwon Downs and Forrest. A second decisive ascent at Mount Sabine split groups and set the stage for a dramatic return to Lorne. After 131km of relentless effort and tactical racing, van Voorden crossed the line in 3:08:28, narrowly edging Gracjan Szelag of Poland (3:08:42) and Polish teammate Adrian Mrówka (3:08:43). In the women’s race, Jill Patterson powered to victory in 3:41:43, with Alina Mylka (POL) just one second back and Australia’s Matilda Raynolds taking third in 3:44:18.

The course’s mix of steep climbs and fast coastal descents produced decisive moments. Mount Sabine proved pivotal, where attempts to break the field culminated in a reduced group pushing hard toward Lorne. Riders managed tactics and endurance as wind off the Southern Ocean played into team and solo strategies. The result underscored both raw strength and smart racecraft, rewarding those who timed their moves and conserved energy for the final push.

Race organizers praised the competitive spirit and sportsmanship on display. “This course demanded everything from our athletes — power, patience and a willingness to take risks,” said Event Director Maria Thompson. “Jeroen and Jill showed remarkable resilience and timing. Their performances showcase the true heart of Gran Fondo racing and make this year’s championship one to remember.”

Community and volunteer support was strong, with local crews ensuring safety and a smooth race day. Spectators lined key climbs and seaside stretches, creating an electric atmosphere as riders fought for world titles. The event highlighted Lorne’s reputation as a world-class venue for cycling and offered a memorable platform for amateur and elite masters athletes to shine on an international stage.

American cyclist Jill Patterson who won the Gold Medal in the Gran Fondo said before the race, "Highlights of the day: Packet pickup and rider briefing (we found our names printed on the display poster), riding and reconning the finish (the Great Ocean Road is absolutely stunning!), eating meat pies for lunch (the cockatoos wanted to eat them, too, and one cockatoo practiced riding Kai’s bike), to the local golf course to see the kangaroos (one had a baby in her pouch!), back to our Airbnb to prep for race day (charge bikes, grease chains, calculate gels and hydration, pin numbers, try to not be nervous), and then seeing dolphins swimming in the ocean (one jumped sooo high, cleared the water by probably at least 10 feet!)."

"It has been a magical trip so far - and that helps to buffer the race nerves. I came here to race, but I also came for everything else I knew I would experience. I am excited to give it my all tomorrow, and my main goals are to have fun, feel good, and ride safe. And so far I’ve already accomplished the first two goals independently of the race"

2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Results (131km)