The 2026 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships were held on September 20 in Frederick, Maryland, as part of the 15th edition of Gran Fondo Maryland. A total of 28 national champion jerseys were awarded after riders raced five timed segments across a challenging 87-mile course featuring nearly 8,000 feet of climbing.
Madison Maloney (Hudson, N.C.) posted the fastest combined time in the women’s field, stopping the clock at 1:19:50.39. Last year’s overall winner, Jennifer Thornton-Brooks (Boone, N.C.), finished 2:27.58 back for second place overall, with Sarah Watkins (Evansville, Ind.) rounding out the podium 5:45.18 behind.
On the men’s side, Bennett Rose (Scarsdale, N.Y.) recorded the quickest combined time at 1:09:19.16. Close behind, Tyler Brendel (Bethesda, Md.) finished second (+0:15.81), and Michael Reidenbach (Fairfield, Pa.) took third (+0:29.04).
Racers contested five individual timed segments embedded in a scenic yet demanding route that tested climbing, descending, and sustained power. The timed-segment format rewarded consistent high performance, varied terrain, and tactical riding through the hilly Maryland countryside. The championships crowned national title holders across age-group categories from 14-16 to 80+, reflecting a broad and competitive field.
Full results and timing details from the 2026 Gran Fondo Maryland and 2026 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships can be found here.
2026 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Champions
Men 14-16: Nate Beaver (Columbus, Ohio)
Women 17-18: Kate Elwell (Mechanicsburg, Pa.)
Men 17-18: Bennett Rose (Scarsdale, N.Y.)
Women 19-22: Patricia Higgins (Otego, N.Y.)
Men 19-22: Luke Schneider (West Middlesex, Md.)
Women 23-29: Madison Maloney (Hudson, N.C.)
Men 23-29: Maxwell Abner (Greenville, S.C.)
Women 30-34: Olivia Brettschneider (Charlotte, N.C.)
Men 30-34: Tyler Brendel (Bethesda, Md.)
Women 35-39: Sarah Watkins (Evansville, Ind.)
Men 35-39: Justin Spangler (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Women 40-44: Jennifer Thornton-Brooks (Boone, N.C.)
Men 40-44: Noah Niwinski (Asheville, N.C.)
Women 45-49: Bridgett Widrig (Grawn, Mich.)
Men 45-49: Andrew Knight (Marietta, Ga.)
Women 50-54: Allison Paul (Hillsborough, N.C.)
Men 50-54: Stu Moran (Weaverville, N.C.)
Women 55-59: Denise Esposito (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.)
Men 55-59: Raik Huster (Centennial, Colo.)
Women 60-64: Susan Haid (Pittsboro, N.C.)
Men 60-64: Brian White (Cooperstown, N.Y.)
Women 65-69: Lynne Anderson (Boulder, Colo.)
Men 65-69: Douglas Pomeranz (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)
Women 70-74: Patricia Caldeira (Crofton, Md.)
Men 70-74: Rick Sorenson (Rutland, Va.)
Women 75-79: Vicky Nielsen (Ogden, Utah)
Men 75-79: Mark Holt (Williamsburg, Va.)
Men 80+: Joe Brookreson (Martinsburg, W.Va.)
The 2027 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships will take place on July 18 in Asheville, N.C., in conjunction with Gran Fondo Asheville, with the Applewood Manor Foundation as the presenting sponsor.
