Shimano Expands Sponsorship of U23 Entries to Gran Fondo National Series Cycling Events

February 24, 2026

Gettysburg, PA (February 24, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Gran Fondo National Series today announced that Shimano is expanding their long-running sponsorship of the Junior (U18) and Under 23 (U23) age group categories at Gran Fondo National Series events. To support and inspire young riders to participate in gran fondo events, Shimano provides the opportunity for Junior and U23 riders to register for Series events at 50% off. And new for 2026, the Male and Female U23 Gran Route winners at each Series event will win a Shimano Ultegra groupset!

This expanded sponsorship bolsters the long-term partnership between Gran Fondo National Series and Shimano, the industry leader in cycling components. In addition to sponsoring Junior and U23 fields, Shimano will have a prominent presence at the Series owned 2026 SENA Gran Fondo National Series events.

“It’s great to see Shimano expand their long-term sponsorship with Gran Fondo National Series with the addition of Ultegra groupsets for U23 Gran Route winners. Every year since the pandemic, we’ve seen an increase in the number of Junior and U23 cyclists riding our events, in large part because the financial support from Shimano,” said Gran Fondo National Series founder and director, Reuben Kline. “However, even with the 50% offer made possible by Shimano, I don’t want financial hardship to prevent any Junior or U23 rider from participating in Series events. Young riders who cannot afford an entry should contact me directly at reuben.kline@granfondoseries.com.”

“Shimano has noticed the positive impact our partnership with Gran Fondo National Series has had on youth and U23 participation in gran fondos and road cycling overall. For 2026, we decided to increase our support by offering Ultegra groups to top performers in the U23 category,” said Nick Legan, Road Brand Manager for Shimano.

Riders who will be 23 years of age or under as of December 31, 2026, are eligible to use the coupon code: U23byShimano at checkout for any of the company’s owned SENA Gran Fondo National Series events: Gran Fondo Florida, Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo, Highlands Gran Fondo, Gran Fondo Asheville, Boone Gran Fondo, Gran Fondo Maryland – 2026 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships. The 50% offer is limited to participants under the age of 23 and athletes will be asked to verify their age. Juniors – cyclists under the age of 18 – are eligible to use the same coupon code. Some Series Partner-Events will offer a similar discount, but Ultegra groups will only be awarded at Series Core events.

Shimano Ultegra groupsets will be awarded to the Male and Female winner of the U23 Gran Route competition at each of the following events:

• March 22 – Gran Fondo Florida (Dade City, Florida)
• April 19 – Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo (Helen, Georgia)
• June 7 – Highlands Gran Fondo (Butler, New Jersey)
• June 13 – Gran Fondo Utah (Payson, Utah)
• July 19 – Gran Fondo Asheville, p/b Applewood Manor (Asheville, North Carolina)
• August 2 – Boone Gran Fondo, p/b Capua Law Firm (Boone, North Carolina)
• September 20 – Gran Fondo Maryland  – USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships p/b Ourisman Automotive (Frederick, Maryland)

About Shimano North American Bicycle, Inc.  (https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/home.html)

Shimano North American Bicycle, Inc., a member of Shimano North America Holdings, Inc., along with its world-renowned subsidiaries, offers consumers outstanding sport-related products and apparel. Shimano is proud of its staff, diversity in talent, interests, and backgrounds. The company is an ISO14001 certified business where environmental compliance and continued improvements are part of the business philosophy and operations.

About Gran Fondo National Series (granfondonationalseries.com)

Founded in 2012 by event director Reuben Kline, the Gran Fondo National Series is the largest and most competitive series of gran fondo cycling events in the United States. Gran Fondo National Series was the first series to implement timed-segment racing into US gran fondo events and has crowned Gran Fondo National Champions and Gran Fondo National Series Champions since 2012. Since 2020, Gran Fondo National Series has been the organizer of the official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships.