GFNY announces

GFNY José Ignacio – Uruguay
January 3, 2027

The Course

With both start and finish in Pueblo Garzón, the race offers two courses united by a shared identity. At this time of year, when Punta del Este is immersed in the intensity of the first days of January, Pueblo Garzón offers exactly the opposite: a haven. A place of peace, slower time, landscape and calm. And from that contrast, the experience begins.

Both courses share the same opening section, until each one begins to reveal its own character. The opening that immediately introduces the spirit of the race: openness, natural beauty, and the feeling of riding through one of the most special landscapes in eastern Uruguay. From there, the routes separate.

The long course continues toward the coast and descends until it reaches Las Garzas.

And that is when it happens: the ocean appears straight ahead. Without transition. Without warning. The landscape opens completely and redefines the race.

At that point, the course turns right and joins Route 10, beginning one of the most striking road cycling segments in Uruguay: 34 kilometers of riding alongside the ocean. It is an open and fully exposed section. The wind, predominantly from the east in this area, often follows the direction of the race and helps create a fast, sustained rhythm. But as in any great race, conditions can change.

Then comes the transition back inland. The climb up Camino Medellín breaks the inertia of the coastal segment and demands strength. From there, the course connects with Route 104, joins Route 9 heading west, and then turns left onto Camino Sainz Martínez to begin the return.

In the final part, between kilometers 105 and 120, sustained rollers appear, with gradients reaching 5%, capable of breaking the rhythm and creating separation in the closing kilometers. It is there that the long course fully reveals its character, bringing together coastline, inland roads, and some of the most memorable scenery of the entire route.

The medium course shares the same opening as the long course for the first 25 kilometers, but at the split point it offers a different experience. Instead of continuing toward the coast, it returns to Route 9 heading west and then turns right onto Camino Sainz Martínez.

From that roundabout to the return into Pueblo Garzón, both distances share 30 extraordinary kilometers: a serene, quiet, and deeply scenic stretch, with rolling hills and a natural beauty that surprises and moves you every time you ride it. That is why the medium course is not a lesser alternative, but a route with an identity of its own, defined by a closing section of enormous scenic value.

At the finish, a festive post-race celebration awaits with finisher medals, music, post-race meal, the awards ceremony and sharing the day with friends and family in an unforgettable setting.

Long Route – 129.6 km / 954 m+

Medium Route – 77.1 km / 622 m+

About José Ignacio

 

GFNY José Ignacio unfolds entirely within a territory that has grown beyond a single pinpoint on the map to become a geographic, aesthetic and cultural reference in eastern Uruguay.

From the coast to the inland countryside, the villages of José Ignacio and Garzón offer a more tranquil, remote and elevated escape from nearby tourist hotspot Punta del Este.

Once a quiet fishing village, José Ignacio has evolved into South America’s most sophisticated escape while keeping its rustic soul intact. The peninsula is a unique blend where unpaved roads lead to world-class dining, and modern boutique hotels hide behind lush greenery. José Ignacio presents a barefoot luxury, with low-profile mansions tucked into windswept dunes, and its chic yet chilled party scene makes you feel it’s exactly where you want to be. With just a couple of hundred permanent residents, from late December through January, it transforms into an international jet-set playground.

A 30-minute drive inland from the glamour and buzz of Jose Ignacio, lies the tiny hamlet of Garzon with rural character, quiet streets, and wild-west luxury. Pueblo Garzón has a whitewashed church, colored houses and a flower-lined central plaza. It is small, but it has its own boutique hospitality, including Hotel Garzón and adjoining Casa Anna. It also features acclaimed wineries and restaurants, such as those by famed chef Francis Mallmann.

 

Getting Here

By plane:

Punta del Este International Airport (PDP): The closest and most convenient option. José Ignacio is about 32 km by road (approx. 30–35 minutes drive).

Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo (MVD): Uruguay’s main international gateway. The drive to José Ignacio is about 140 km (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours). Bus options are also available.

Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) & Ezeiza International Airport (EZE): For travelers arriving through Argentina, these serve as Buenos Aires gateways, followed by onward travel to Uruguay by air, ferry, or road.

By Car:

Driving is one of the easiest ways to reach the race area.

From Punta del Este Airport: 30–35 minutes.

From Carrasco Airport: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

Ground Transportation:

From Carrasco Airport (MVD): Travelers can continue by rental car, private transfer, taxi, or intercity bus.

From Punta del Este Airport (PDP): Public transportation is possible, though private transfers and rental cars are usually the most convenient options during the peak summer season, especially for riders traveling with bikes.