Early breakaway shapes men’s race as Tamez sisters battle for victory in sprint finish

New York, November 11, 2026 – Mexico’s Ulises Castillo and Sofía Tamez won the men’s and women’s races at the 13th edition of Jetour GFNY Cozumel on Sunday, November 8. Castillo secured victory following an early five-rider breakaway, while Tamez won a sprint finish against her sister Jacqueline. More than 2,500 cyclists from 40 countries participated in the event.

The decisive move in the men’s race came immediately after the start, when GFNY multi-champion Edwin Morel (Team Talent Cycles), former professional cyclist and multiple national champion Luis Lemus (Mexico), multiple GFNY champion Christopher Torres (Mexico), 2020 GFNY Cozumel champion Ulises Castillo (Mexico), and GFNY Zapopan 2023 runner-up Salvador Lemus (Mexico) broke clear of the peloton.

The five riders worked together from the opening kilometers, battling strong winds and intense heat while maintaining speeds above 50 km/h for much of the first lap around the island. By the time they passed the King of the Wind arch, they had established a three-minute advantage over the main peloton. Their lead increased to four minutes during the first lap.

Behind them, a chasing peloton of approximately 50 riders formed, including several of the leading women. Despite the chase, the five leaders continued to extend their advantage, eventually reaching six minutes over the peloton.

As the race progressed, Edwin Morel was unable to maintain the pace of the leaders, leaving Castillo, Torres, Luis Lemus and Salvador Lemus at the front. Cooperation among the remaining four riders eventually gave way to repeated attacks. Luis Lemus launched the first move, followed by Castillo and Torres, who each attempted to break clear.

Castillo secured victory in 3:33:16, finishing just one second ahead of Christopher Torres. Salvador Lemus completed the podium, two seconds behind the winner. 

The victory marked Castillo’s second GFNY Cozumel title, following his previous win in 2020.

In the women’s race, sisters Sofía and Jacqueline Tamez (Mexico) battled for victory in a sprint finish. Sofía claimed the win in 3:41:23, finishing just one second ahead of Jacqueline. Verónica Favila completed the podium, two seconds behind the winner, with all three podium finishers separated by just over two seconds.

Jacqueline Tamez also earned the women’s Queen of the Wind title, while Salvador Lemus claimed the men’s King of the Wind award.

The next race on the GFNY calendar is the inaugural GFNY Surf City on November 15, 2026, which will host the GFNY Latin American Championship.

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.

Website: gfny.com

About the Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship New York City

The Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship New York City is GFNY’s flagship event and the final stage of the GFNY Road to NYC. Held annually on a challenging road course in and around New York City, it brings together riders from more than 90 countries.

Website: nyc.gfny.com

GFNY Pro Series

The GFNY Pro Series is GFNY’s professional racing platform, built around an integrated Pro–Am format in which UCI-sanctioned professional races are held on the same courses and weekends as GFNY mass-participation events. The format was pioneered at Gran Premio New York City and is expanding selectively to additional locations.

Website: gp.gfny.com

Further Material for Media Use

Official GFNY Cozumel 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,

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