OLIVIA BRETTSCHNEIDER AND JOSHUA DAILEY FASTEST AT THE 2026 BOONE GRAN FONDO

A welcome escape from the oppressive heat and humidity in the Southeast, light rain and roller coaster mountain roads around Boone both challenged and delighted hundreds of riders, presented by Capua Law Firm.

One of the most fun courses of the entire series, the Boone Gran Fondo twists and turns through wooded climbs and descents before returning to the party atmosphere of downtown Boone, North Carolina with three courses 80-mile Gran, 60-mile Medio and 25-mile Piccolo Fondo. Timed segments for Boone included 4 for Gran route, 3 for Medio, and only section 1 for Piccolo.

The fully supported courses passed through the Blue Ridge Parkway up the Tennessee State Line through valleys and the communities of Sugar Grove and Valle Crucis before climbing up Laurel Fork and White Oak roads back to the town of Boone.

Big Thanks to Appalachian Voices for hosting another great event!

Joshua Dailey took the overall win in the Gran with a masterclass across all four timed sections, opening with an 8:01 and maintaining tight control through the climbs and wet descents for a total time competition time of 43:48. Christopher Cannon stayed within seconds on every segment, including the fastest final segment of the day at 9:07, finishing just seven seconds behind. Aaron Worley set the fastest opening segment of the entire Gran Fondo at 7:59 and held strong through the middle climbs to secure third.

Olivia Brettschneider dominated all four Gran timed sections, opening with an 8:23 and riding consistently through 21:13, 14:22, and 10:35 to win in 46:11. Abigail Rupa overcame equipment issues and delivered one of the fastest Segment 3 times of the day at 11:38 to take second. Stephanie van Bebber also fought through equipment problems, riding steady splits including a strong 16:56 second segment to finish third.

Kevin Link delivered the fastest three-segment ride of the Medio, opening with an 8:23 and backing it up with a powerful 21:40 middle climb to win in 35:57. John Harrell stayed close through the first two segments and used smooth descending to secure second. Mark Johnson closed with one of the fastest final segments of the day at 16:51 to take third.

Cherie Witt produced a commanding win despite equipment issues, opening with a huge 28:52 first segment and maintaining control through all three timed sections to finish in 49:50 in the Medio. Judith Beckenbach stayed within a minute of the lead with a strong 21:00 second segment. Kathleen Jennings posted the fastest women’s Segment 1 of the Medio at 13:00 and held her position for third.

Hutch Griffith delivered the fastest Piccolo time of the day with an 18:11 single-segment ride, averaging 7.58 mph on Boone’s steep opener. David Griffith followed with a strong 19:17 for second, giving Pineville a 1–2 finish. Dean Yobbi posted the fastest time in the 55–64 category with a 21:12 to secure third.

Elizabeth Markman set the fastest women’s Piccolo time with a smooth 23:35. Salem Wear followed with a strong 25:04 to take second. Braden Walsh rounded out the podium with a 25:45, powered by a fast middle section.

The Gran Team Competition added another layer of excitement, with Alex and Chains taking the overall win in 2:20:40 after bonus. Their victory was powered by three strong Gran Fondo rides: Christopher Cannon’s 43:55, Alexander Cornwell’s 47:45, and Keaton Anderson’s 49:33. OTE secured second place in 2:32:04, led by Andrew York, Brian Lee, and Jamie Collins. Youngblood Bicycles p/b Innovex Renovations finished third in 2:49:14, followed by Piper Aircraft and Spring City Cycling Club.

Afterwards, everyone celebrated at Capua Law Firm on South Depot Street in downtown Boone at the EXPO with music, cold beers, the awards and legendary raffle prizes. Riders enjoyed a great meal from FizzED, a local joint just around the corner from Capua Law Firm.

The event benefited Watauga Pioneers Mountain Bike Team, the local NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) team. Donations went directly to the team, which currently has 29 student athletes ranging from 6th through 11th grades, and 16 volunteer coaches.

69 riders qualified for the 2026 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, to be held during the 15th Annual Gran Fondo Maryland, the final event in the 2026 series.

The 2026 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships (GFNats) event will also be held at Gran Fondo Maryland, presented by Ourisman Automotive Group in Frederick, MD on September 20, 2026.

All athletes who sign up by August 21st will receive a commemorative jersey! There are two different commemorative jerseys one for GFNats, and one for Gran Fondo Maryland participants. There will be a limited supply of jerseys for size exchanges on the day of the event. Don't forget to complete your kit with matching bib shorts, available during signup and on-site.

For more information, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-maryland or click the button below to register now.

2026 Boone Gran Fondo Top 10 Men

1, Joshua Dailey, Campobello SC, 43:48.65, —
2, Christopher Cannon, Durham NC, 43:55.88, +0:07.23
3, Aaron Worley, Westfield IN, 44:09.22, +0:20.56
4, John Hart, Murfreesboro TN, 44:28.43, +0:39.77
5, Brendan Sullivan, Atlanta GA, 44:30.91, +0:42.26
6, Julio Valero, Brooklyn NY, 44:42.00, +0:53.35
7, Miles Bilbe, Asheville NC, 45:15.01, +1:26.36
8, Bryan Benitez-Nelson, Columbia SC, 45:25.84, +1:37.19
9, Justin Truax, Charlotte NC, 45:32.11, +1:43.45
10, Sam Marsh, Boone NC, 46:03.19, +2:14.53

2026 Boone Gran Fondo Top 10 Women

1, Olivia Brettschneider, Charlotte NC, 46:11.99,
2, Abigail Rupa, Boone NC, 52:18.22, +6:06.22
3, Stephanie van Bebber, Fairfax VA, 54:33.96, +8:21.97
4, Allison Paul, Hillsborough NC, 55:01.60, +8:49.61
5, Cheryl Mcmurray, Fairfax FL, 56:45.87, +10:33.88
6, Julie Raydo, Williamsburg VA, 57:40.37, +11:28.38
7, Sarah Piper, Durham NC, 59:23.29, +13:11.30
8, Rachel Pellom, Durham NC, 59:42.86, +13:30.8
9, Nicole Walters, Madison AL, 1:00:31.84, +14:19.8
10, Gail Waldman, North Chesterfield VA, 1:00:39.37, +14:27.37

2026 Boone Gran Fondo Teams Competition

1, Alex and chains, 2:20:40.52, —
2, OTE, 2:32:04.39, +11:23.87
3, Youngblood Bicycles p/b Innovex Renovations, 2:49:14.86, +28:34.34
4, Piper Aircraft, 3:09:31.47, +48:50.95
5, Spring City Cycling Club, 3:13:38.25, +52:57.73

2026 Boone Medio Fondo Top 10 Men

1, Kevin Link, Arlington VA, 35:57.92, —
2, John Harrell, Durham NC, 37:31.68, +1:33
3, Mark Johnson, Ripley WV, 40:31.51, +4:33
4, Everton The Da Silva, High Point NC, 44:16.80, +8:18
5, Graham Caparulo, Columbus NC, 44:37.87, +8:39
6, Tony Dienst, Blowing Rock NC, 46:13.93, +10:16
7, David Suarez de Puga, Jacksonville Beach FL, 46:20.35, +10:22
8, Andy Domnauer, Johns Creek GA, 46:47.37, +10:49
9, Thomas Berry, Charlottesville VA, 46:55.75, +10:57
10, Fred Sesti, Humboldt TN, 47:04.29, +11:06

2026 Boone Medio Fondo Top 10 Women

1, Cherie Witt, Crozet VA, 49:50.12, —
2, Judith Beckenbach, Medina OH, 50:50.07, +0:59
3, Kathleen Jennings, New York NY, 51:09.48, +1:19
4, Misti Williams, Roanoke VA, 52:17.97, +2:27
5, Bethany Garrison, Wilmington NC, 54:03.37, +4:13
6, Kirsten Siwy, Leland NC, 54:57.87, +5:07
7, Hester Hodde, New York SC, 56:58.09, +7:07
8, Monica Rossi-Montero, Miami FL, 57:56.92, +8:06
9, Kirstin Pellom, Durham NC, 58:17.76, +8:27
10, Monica Bishop, Hixson TN, 59:28.51, +9:38

2026 Boone Piccolo Fondo Top 10 Men

1, Hutch Griffith, Pineville NC, 18:11.36, —
2, David Griffith, Pineville NC, 19:17.90, +1:06
3, Dean Yobbi, Black Mountain NC, 21:12.12, +3:00
4, Kenny Grantham, Lilesville NC, 21:16.45, +3:05
5, Jawad Zafar, Beckley WV, 22:58.59, +4:47
6, Kyle Kuykendall, Fairview NC, 23:42.37, +5:31
7, Robert Felix, Boone NC, 24:10.67, +5:59
8, Paul Prince, —, 24:21.64, +6:10
9, Tamu Miller, Cary NC, 25:00.22, +6:48
10, Mark Radigan, Montreat NC, 26:05.50, +7:54

2026 Boone Piccolo Fondo Top 10 Women

1, Elizabeth Markman, Marietta GA, 23:35.28, —
2, Salem Wear, Raleigh NC, 25:04.39, +1:29
3, Braden Walsh, Durham NC, 25:45.17, +2:09
4, Alexandra Williams, Cayce SC, 28:33.08, +4:57
5, Jennifer Bachman, Durham NC, 29:32.19, +5:56
6, Gail Mccolgan, Cary NC, 30:27.95, +6:52
7, April Augustine, Raleigh NC, 30:28.56, +6:53
8, Felicia Cenca, Burlington NC, 32:39.56, +9:04
9, Julia Smith, Winston-Salem NC, 33:43.47, +10:08
10, Sarah Speir, Erie PA, 34:19.69, +10:44

Link to 2026 Boone Gran Fondo Results: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/boone-2026-results

2026 Boone Gran Fondo Photo Gallery