FoCo Fondo is back for Year 11 this weekend, and the conditions are lining up perfectly for some fast Northern Colorado gravel racing! If you aren’t already signed up to tackle one of the legendary routes out of New Belgium Brewing, good news: registration is still open, so grab your spot now at bikereg.com/foco-fondo. For those of you watching from afar or resting up the legs, you can catch the full elite race LIVE. Tune in this Sunday, July 19 starting at 6:00 a.m. MT over on the youtube.com/@bikesportsco livestream to see a stacked elite field, including two-time defending champion Lauren Stephens, Diederik Deelen, and Robin Cummings, battle it out for a piece of the equal $15,000 prize purse. Check out the full press release, athlete highlights, and event details below!
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.
FORT COLLINS, Colorado — FoCo Fondo Presented by Fat Tire returns to Fort Collins, Colorado, for its 11th edition on July 19, 2026. 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 overall, 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 6:00 a.m. 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 6:00 a.m. 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. The 2026 cutoffs are:
- Elite Men: 1:00 p.m.
- Age Group Men: 1:30 p.m.
- Elite Women: 1:50 p.m.
- Elite NB/GE: 2:10 p.m.
- Age Group Women: 2:15 p.m.
- Single Speed Men: 2:15 p.m.
- Age Group NB/GE: 2:30 p.m.
- Single Speed Women: 3:00 p.m.
- NB/GE Single Speed: 3:15 p.m.
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’ favorite
- 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.
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Race Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026 (Elite starts 6:00 a.m. MT)
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Full Weekend: July 16-19, 2026
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Location: New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO
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Prize Purse: $15,000, equal across men’s, women’s, and non-binary/GE fields
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Livestream: youtube.com/@bikesportsco (July 19 beginning at 6:00 a.m. MT)
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Race Registration: bikereg.com/foco-fondo
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Website: focofondo.com
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Nonprofit: friendsoffocofondo.com
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Contact: focofondo@gmail.com
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Instagram: @focofondo
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Groadio Episode 125: Available now on all podcast platforms
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