Gran Premio New York City and Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC deliver world-class racing across New York and New Jersey

May 17, 2026

The UCI professional race took place alongside the GFNY New York City on May 17th, 2026

NEW YORK CITY, May 17, 2026 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The 14th edition of the Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC and the 3rd edition of Gran Premio New York City took place on May 17, 2026, bringing together professional and amateur athletes from around the world on the same iconic course through New York and New Jersey.

The UCI-sanctioned professional race, Gran Premio New York City, started ten minutes ahead of the mass-participation field of GFNY NYC. The events were conducted as separate competitions under their respective regulations while sharing the same roads and infrastructure in a unique pro-am race format. Both were broadcast live, with the feed going back and forth between the races.

Riders from over 70 countries participated in GFNY NYC, reinforcing the event’s status as one of the world’s most international cycling races.

GP NYC: professional racing returns to the world’s capital city

The third edition of Gran Premio New York City once again brought UCI professional road racing to New York City under sun-filled skies and summer temperatures. Teams and riders competed across the demanding 135 km course featuring the climbs of Gate Hill and Cheesecote. From the opening miles, there were numerous attacks and several breakaways that included riders from the favorite teams such as Nu Colombia, Skyline, Medellín, Project Echelon, Canel’s Java, and others. But in the end, the main peloton came together for the uphill sprint on Hudson Terrace.

Sebastian Brenes of Canel’s Java (Mexico) claimed victory in a time of 3:07:42 ahead of Jérôme Gauthier (Project Echelon Racing, CAN) and Wilmar Paredes (Team Medellin – EPM, COL).

GFNY NYC: Be A Pro For A Day®

Just ten minutes after the pro racers, the huge peloton of amateur riders crossed the George Washington Bridge for the start of the Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC, racing on fully police-controlled roads through Bergen County and Rockland County before returning to Fort Lee.

Once again, Team Officine Mattio (OM.CC) showed up with a strong team—and the peloton once again did not find an answer as to how to beat them. In the men’s race, South African Alexander Worsdale, who resides in France, went on a long breakaway. However, he was later caught by teammate Federico Borella (Italy) and GFNY riders Luis Lemus and Flavio De Luna, both Mexican ex-pros and multi-time GFNY champions. In the final miles, it was Borella who got away to defend the title for OM.CC and Italy, while Lemus took second and De Luna third.

Federico Borella won the men’s race in 3:34:30, while Martina Cavallo claimed victory in the women’s race in 3:45:01, both representing OM.CC, Italy.

The top finishers earned direct qualification into the elite corral for future GFNY events as part of the global Road to NYC.

A unique global cycling event

GFNY NYC continues to stand apart through its international reach and distinctive race experience. Riders from around the globe traveled to New York City to compete on a course featuring fully police-controlled intersections and chip timing from start to finish.

“It was a spectacular day of racing under amazing weather conditions,” said GFNY co-founder and CEO Uli Fluhme. “And once again we pulled off the two races so close together. I can’t wait to see the concept applied at more races. We at GFNY will definitely do it. Both pros and amateurs loved it.”

Gran Premio NYC and GFNY NYC represent GFNY’s vision of reconnecting professional cycling with everyday riders by creating a shared race environment where amateurs and professionals compete on the same roads, on the same day, in the same event atmosphere.

Results

Gran Premio New York City (UCI 1.2)

Sebastian Brenes (Canel’s Java) – 3:07:42

Jérôme Gauthier (Project Echelon Racing) – 3:07:42

Wilmar Paredes (Team Medellin – EPM) – 3:07:42

Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC – Men

Federico Borella (OM.CC, Italy) – 3:34:30

Luis Lemus Davila (Team GFNY, Mexico) – 3:35:53

Flavio De Luna (Team GFNY, Mexico) – 3:36:36

Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC – Women

Martina Cavallo (OM.CC, Italy) – 3:45:01

Anna Ceoloni (OM.CC, Italy) – 3:45:28

Flor Espiritusanto (Dominican Republic) – 4:00:02

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 Videos: here

GFNY Press Images: here

GP NYC Press Images: here

GFNY Results: here

GFNY Platform graphic: here

Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Uli Fluhme, uli@gfny.com

Caroline Lindsay, caroline@gfny.com