All you need to know about the 2026 off-road Gran Fondo

The Gran Fondo Isle of Man returns this weekend with a new off-road format, marking the biggest change in the event’s 10-year history.

The cycling festival, held on Saturday and Sunday, has moved away from the traditional road route towards a multi-surface challenge consisting of gravel tracks, green lanes, forest roads and historic railway lines.

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Organizers said the redesigned course had been created to reflect the Island’s landscape and the growing popularity of gravel cycling, and remained true to the event’s focus on endurance and participation.

New Routes

The flagship Gran Fondo Gravel and Gran Fondo

The point-to-point route takes competitors to the northern tip of the island before heading south through farmland, wetlands, prairies, forests and coastal landscapes.

It includes 30 designated off-road and C-road sectors including Ballacorey Farm, The Curraghs, The Kella, Ballacarnane Farm, Archallagan Plantation and Eary Cushlin, before a final climb over Bradda Head and the technical descent to Port Erin.

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Organizers described it as “a route shaped by the island itself” rather than adapting an existing road route.

Weekend Program

The event will start on Saturday with two warm-up events.

‘Minisculo Fondo’ starts at 11am on a half-mile fully covered course around Mooragh Park in Ramsey, offering children and families the chance to take part.

This is followed at 1 p.m. by the 30-mile (50 km) non-competitive Gran Fondo Challenge, which starts and ends in Ramsey and is designed for riders looking for a shorter off-road experience or warm-up before Sunday’s races.

Why is it called Gran Fondo?

The name Gran Fondo originates from Italian cycling and refers to endurance challenges and long distance.

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The Isle of Man Gran Fondo is a qualifying competition for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series.

The UCI Gran Fondo World Series said it adopted the name “Gran Fondo” to connect with the continental tradition of mass-participation cycling.

Why off-road?

The Isle of Man Gran Fondo has been organizing large-scale cycling events on the Isle for over a decade, starting with the Isle of Man Cycling Festival in 2016, before launching the Gran Fondo series.

The event has previously attracted a range of riders, from first-time riders to professional racers, including Sir Mark Cavendish, Ben Swift, Lizzie Holden and Anna Christian.

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Organizers said that after 10 years of hosting road-based events, the move to gravel and mountain bike racing reflected the “changing landscape of the sport” and “showcased more of the Island’s natural environment”.

Which roads are closed?

There will be several temporary road closures throughout the Gran Fondo weekend to ensure the event takes place safely.

Open Saturday (between 10:00-12:00), The closures will affect:

• North Shore Road – from its junction with Park Road to its junction with Ballacloan Road

Open Sunday (between 09:00-12:00), There will be closures in several areas as motorists make their way from Ramsey to Port Erin.

• Ballacorey Road – from its junction with Bride Road to the entrance of Ballacorey Farm

• Smeale Road – from its junction with Bride Coast Road to the entrance of the Public Right of Way U79

• Leodest Road – from the entrance to Public Right 25 to its junction with Bride Coast Road

• Bride Beach Road – from its junction with Kiondroghad Road to its junction with Polly Road

• Polly Road – from its junction with Bride Coast Road to Public Road 9

• Old Windmill Road – from its junction with Ballamona Road to its junction with Old Sulby Road

• Old Sulby Road – to its junction with Clenagh Road

• Kella Road – from its junction with Clenagh Road to its junction with Kella Close

Open Sunday (between 10:00-15:00)The closures will apply on the following dates:

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• Brack A Broom Lane – A20 from junction with Poortown Road to junction with Glen Mooar Loop Road

• Sloc Road – D60 from its junction with Lhagg Road to its junction with Public Right of Way 197 / Surby Mill Road

Open Sunday (between 10:00 – 18:00)The closures will affect:

• Station Road – from junction with Falcon Hill U129 to junction with Coast Road

• Strand Road – from its junction with Athol Park

• Coast Road – From its junction with Strand Road.

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