Riders will tackle the Vercors National Park

New York City, May 21, 2026 -This Sunday, the 5th annual GFNY Villard-de-Lans opens the 2026/2027 GFNY Road to NYC after last Sunday’s 14th Michelob Ultra GFNY World Championship in New York City.

Set in the breathtaking Vercors Regional Natural Park, riders will take on a demanding 163.4 km course featuring 3,973 meters of climbing. With the race base located at 1,050 meters above sea level, participants are immediately immersed in a true alpine racing environment.

“Every Road to NYC season starts with ambition and fresh legs,” said GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme. “Villard-de-Lans immediately reminds riders what GFNY racing is about: iconic roads, serious climbing, and earning your place toward New York City.”

Race week activities will once again be hosted at Le Balcon de Villards, overlooking the alpine town of Villard-de-Lans. The course promises a pure test of endurance, highlighted by iconic climbs such as the Col de la Croix Perrin.  The final ascent into Villard-de-Lans has been featured multiple times in the Tour de France, adding historic prestige and placing riders on the same roads as cycling’s greatest champions.

Website: villarddelans.gfny.com

About GFNY

GFNY is an international cycling organization that designs, owns, and operates a structured system of races worldwide. Its competitive hierarchy connects GFNY races with National and Continental Championships, culminating in the GFNY World Championship in New York City. This progression is known as the GFNY Road to NYC.

GFNY events feature fully timed racing with age-group competition and are open to a wide range of riders, combining competitive structure with accessible participation. GFNY operates its own integrated registration, results, and ranking system, maintaining direct relationships with participants across all events. While road cycling is its foundation, GFNY also operates select events in gravel, mountain bike, and running within the same competitive framework.

The official GFNY website is: gfny.com.

About the Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC

The Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship New York City is GFNY’s flagship race and the final step on the GFNY Road to NYC.

Held annually on a challenging road course in and around New York City, the event brings together riders from more than 90 countries who have earned their place through GFNY races and championships worldwide.

The official website of the Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC is 

NYC.GFNY.COM.

GFNY Pro Series

The GFNY Pro Series places UCI-sanctioned professional races directly alongside GFNY mass-participation events using the same courses and the same road closures.

Professional fields start minutes ahead of the GFNY mass peloton, creating a shared race environment while maintaining clear competitive separation. This format increases visibility for teams and sponsors and allows professional racing to operate within existing event infrastructure.

The model was first implemented at Gran Premio New York City, where professional teams race the GFNY World Championship course shortly before the amateur start. GP NYC serves as the template for future Pro Series events.

The GFNY Pro Series expands selectively. Additional UCI races are added only where local conditions, funding, and infrastructure support sustainable professional competition. Planned events include Gran Premio Cozumel, held in conjunction with GFNY Cozumel, pending UCI approval.

GFNY is also evaluating the addition of women’s professional racing within the Pro Series, beginning with a potential women’s race in New York City, developed in partnership with organizations supporting the growth of women’s pro cycling.

The official website of the GFNY Pro Series’ flagship event, Gran Premio New York City, is gp.gfny.com.

Further Material for Media Use

Official GFNY Villard de Lans Video: here

GFNY Press Images: here 

GFNY Results: here

GFNY World calendar graphic: here

Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Uli Fluhme,

Caroline Lindsay,