The initiative reinforces GFNY’s commitment to developing future talent worldwide

NEW YORK CITY, February 19, 2026 – GFNY Global Platform is expanding youth participation by introducing U18 and U16 categories at select events worldwide. The initiative creates a structured and professionally managed pathway for young athletes to experience the intensity and organization of a GFNY race.

All youth participants compete within GFNY’s professionally managed race environment, including closed-road or controlled-course operations, on-course medical support, and trained race marshals throughout the route.

Confirmed Rollout

The U18 and U16 categories are confirmed for all 2026 GFNY races in the United States and The Bahamas. In Bremen, Germany, only the U18 category will be offered due to the absence of a non-competitive route. More GFNYs with U18 and U16 categories will be announced shortly.

“Like many initiatives at GFNY, this one is personal,” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme. “When I was 16, I would have loved the chance to race a GFNY. Recently, we tested the concept at GFNY Cozumel, where my 12-year-old completed the medium distance alongside my wife and GFNY co-founder Lidia. That experience motivated us to revisit the liability framework. We were able to resolve the hurdles for many events.”

U18 Category

Riders with a racing age of 16–17 may compete on the competitive distance or participate on the non-competitive distance. Racing age is determined by the athlete’s age on December 31 of the event year.

For example:

• An athlete who is 15 on race day but turns 16 before December 31 competes as a 16-year-old and may choose either long or medium distance.
• An athlete who turns 18 by December 31 competes in the 18–34 age group.

U18 finishers are official finishers and appear in race results according to the distance completed:

• Medium distance: listed alphabetically with finish time
• Long distance: ranked overall and within the U18 age group

U18 athletes earn GFNY Rankings points under the same formula as all competitors, accumulating both Overall Rankings and U18 Age Group Rankings points.

U18 athletes who finish the long course may earn Qualifier status, valid for 380 days from the date earned. This status can be used at any GFNY race worldwide that offers a U18 category.

As increasing numbers of riders transition directly from junior ranks into professional pathways, the depth of road-race exposure differs widely by country. In many regions, junior racing is predominantly criterium-based. The U18 category at GFNY introduces young athletes to the demands of full-distance road racing, including unfamiliar terrain, environmental variability, pacing over extended distances, and independent fueling strategy—core competencies required at higher levels of the sport.

U16 Category

U16 athletes may participate exclusively on the non-competitive distance. For safety and supervision, a parent or legal guardian must ride with the athlete at all times and must also be registered for the event.

For both U18 and U16 athletes, a parent or legal guardian must appear in person at race packet pickup and present a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID (passport, driver license, or identity document).

With these youth categories, GFNY continues expanding its global racing platform while maintaining professional race standards and clearly defined competitive structures.

Full eligibility details and race-specific information are available at gfny.com and on individual race websites.

About GFNY Global Platform

GFNY Global Platform is an international cycling competition platform 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 Course to NYC.

GFNY events feature timed racing with age-group competition and are open to a wide range of riders, combining competitive structure with accessible participation. GFNY operates a fully integrated rider platform with direct control of registration, results, rankings, and historical participation data across all events. While road cycling is its foundation, GFNY also operates select events in gravel, mountain bike, and running within the same governance 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, including Gran Premio Cozumel, subject to UCI approval.

Website: gp.gfny.com

Further Material for Media Use

Official GFNY Videos: 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,