Lauren Stephens headlines a deep women’s field as FoCo Fondo returns July 19 with a
$15,000 equal prize purse, bolo tie cutoffs, and a live broadcast on YouTube — with ideal
weather in the forecast.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT COLLINS, Colorado — FoCo Fondo Presented by Fat Tire returns to Fort Collins,
Colorado for its 11th edition on July 19, 2026, and with a cooler forecast after a regional heat
wave, conditions are lining up for fast racing across Northern Colorado’s legendary gravel
terrain.
The 118-mile Triple Dog Dare premiere route offers a $15,000 prize purse split equally across
men’s, women’s, and non-binary/gender expansive elite fields, with additional prizes for
Overalls, single speed, and para categories, across distances. The full race will be livestreamed
on YouTube at youtube.com/@bikesportsco (get notified on YouTube here), with elite starts
beginning at 6:00am MT.
Elite Field Highlights
Women’s field: Two-time defending champion Lauren Stephens (Aegis x Leaders of
Enchantment) returns to defend her title, joined by 2025 second-place rider Courtney Sherwell
(Santa Cruz), Cecile Lejeune (Trek Driftless), Charlotte Clarke (Ventum, NZL), Chavon
Rosenthal (Distance to Empty), and a deep field of Colorado and national competitors.
Men’s field: Diederik Deelen (Castelli SOG/ENVE, Netherlands) leads an international
contingent alongside Griffin Easter (OpiCure Gravel p/b Orbea and Castelli SOG), LTGP Wild
Card Caleb Bottcher, Kennett Peterson, Reid Burrows, and a strong Colorado and Utah
presence including Josiah Wildman (Respira) and Chaz Hogenauer (Rio Grande Cycling).
Non-Binary/Gender Expansive field: Defending champion Robert ‘Robin’ Cummings (Nine
Lives Cycling Collective) returns alongside Katheryn ‘KJ’ Phillips (Artemis Racing) and a
competitive GE field. FoCo Fondo has offered an equal non-binary prize purse since its earliest
years.
Livestream
The full elite race will be broadcast live on YouTube at youtube.com/@bikesportsco (get notified
here) beginning at 6:00am MT on Sunday July 19. The broadcast covers elite starts, mid-race
updates, and finish line coverage across all elite categories.
As Heard on Groadio
FoCo Fondo founder Zack Allison joined Amanda Nauman on Groadio — The Premier Gravel
Cycling & Racing Podcast — for Episode 125, published July 9. The episode covers the ins and
outs of building and sustaining a community-first gravel event. Available now wherever you
listen to podcasts.
New for Year 11
Nearly double the controlled intersections: Significantly expanded intersection control on all
race routes for a safer, faster rider experience.
Para athletes in the Friends of FoCo Fondo scholarship program: Para athletes join
BIPOC, and non-binary riders in receiving registration and housing support through the event’s
501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Costumed Relay Fundraiser: A new Saturday team relay benefiting Friends of FoCo Fondo —
costumes required, competition encouraged.
Year 11 / Spinal Tap theme: Subtle tasty treats throughout the weekend for those paying
attention. Because ten just isn’t enough.
Bolo Tie Cutoffs — 118-Mile Route
FoCo Fondo’s signature bolo tie cutoff recognizes riders who complete the 118-mile Triple Dog
Dare within competitive time windows. 2026 cutoffs:
Elite Men: 1:00pm
Age Group Men: 1:30pm
Elite Women: 1:50pm
Elite NB/GE: 2:10pm
Age Group Women: 2:15pm
Single Speed Men: 2:15pm
Age Group NB/GE: 2:30pm
Single Speed Women: 3:00pm
NB/GE Single Speed: 3:15pm
Route Options
118 miles: Triple Dog Dare — elite premiere route, bolo tie cutoff, $15K prize purse
100 miles: North to Carr for that triple digit cred
60 miles: The race organizers’ fav
32 miles: Opening up a whole new world
12 miles: Here for It — family friendly, kids ride free
“FoCo Fondo is confident in its identity. Bikes should be fun and everyone should have a
place to belong on the bike. We do that well and unapologetically.”
— Zack Allison, FoCo Fondo Founder
About FoCo Fondo
FoCo Fondo is a Bike Sports production founded in 2016 by Zack and Whitney Allison in Fort
Collins, Colorado — what Elevation Outdoors calls ‘Gravel Graceland.’ Now in its 11th year,
FoCo Fondo is Northern Colorado’s premier gravel event, presented by Fat Tire at New Belgium
Brewing. Friends of FoCo Fondo, the event’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports access and inclusion
in cycling through scholarships, leadership programs, clinics, and community programming.
Race Date: Sunday July 19, 2026 — Elite starts 6:00am MT
Full Weekend: July 16–19, 2026
Location: New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO
Prize Purse: $15,000 — equal across men’s, women’s, and non-binary/GE fields
Livestream: youtube.com/@bikesportsco — July 19 from 6am MT
Race Registration: bikereg.com/foco-fondo
Website: focofondo.com
Nonprofit: friendsoffocofondo.com
Contact: focofondo@gmail.com
Instagram: @focofondo
Groadio Episode 125: Available now on all podcast platforms
