UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Niseko 2026

The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Niseko are amateur road cycling world championships held in Niseko, a mountain area on Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island. The racing is scheduled for late summer, featuring a 140 km Gran Fondo road race, an 80 km Medio Fondo, a 20 km time trial, and a team relay. Niseko is known as a ski area in winter, but the cycling event utilizes its mountain roads during the warmer months. The local Niseko Classic has been a fixture in the UCI Gran Fondo series since 2014. Riders from across the globe compete for age-group Rainbow Jerseys in the road race and time trial. Qualification for entry is achieved through the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, requiring riders to finish within the top quarter of their age group at a qualifying event. The event also offers an open discovery ride for participants. Niseko is a significant host, marking the first time the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships are held in Asia, building on Japan's prior involvement in world road cycling championships through Utsunomiya.