Riders take on the sixth edition of Uruguay’s premier spring  cycling race

New York City, September 3, 2026 –  Cyclists from Uruguay and around the world will line up this Sunday, September 13, for the sixth edition of GFNY Colonia–Uruguay, one of South America’s premier road cycling events.

The competitive long course covers 124.9 km with 894 m of elevation gain. While the profile favors fast racing, one of the event’s defining challenges is the ever-changing wind along Uruguay’s Río de la Plata coastline. Crosswinds can split the field in an instant, making positioning, teamwork, and tactical awareness just as decisive as raw power.

“Uruguay has become one of GFNY’s great success stories. This year’s race marks the sixth edition in Colonia, and together with ten editions in Punta del Este, we’ve built a lasting tradition that attracts cyclists from across South America and beyond. Riders come for the racing, but they leave talking about Uruguay’s beautiful landscapes, welcoming people, and unforgettable hospitality. That’s exactly what GFNY is about: creating world-class races that introduce athletes to destinations they want to return to.” said Lidia Fluhme, GFNY President.

Race week activities begin on Thursday at Specialized Montevideo, continue on Friday at Trek Punta Carretas, and conclude on Saturday at Comarca Las Liebres in Colonia del Sacramento, where riders will complete check-in and prepare for race day.

Throughout the weekend, participants and their families will enjoy the charm of Colonia del Sacramento, the historic UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, waterfront promenades, and relaxed atmosphere.

The race will start and finish at Hotel Dazzler Colonia on the Rambla de las Américas, serving as the hub for the start, finish, awards ceremony, and post-race celebrations.

On race day, cyclists will venture through the scenic countryside surrounding Colonia del Sacramento, passing rolling farmland, vineyards, olive groves, and the distinctive landscapes of the Río de la Plata region before returning to the waterfront finish, completing another unforgettable chapter of GFNY in Uruguay.

Website: colonia.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.

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 Course 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 Colonia 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,