Thornton-Brooks and Knight take Victory at the Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo
Over 350 cyclists enjoyed cycling Bavarian style at The Tour of Georgia last weekend with sunny skies, great temperatures, and partied in big style afterwards
Everyone rode with confidence on the marked and marshalled course, supported by law enforcement, mechanic and sag vehicles, as well as feed stations staffed by Alpine Shrinettes.
The 90 mile Gran Fondo contained a whopping 8974 feet of climbing with 4 timed. Sections. Multi-time Series winner Andrew Knight from Marietta GA was fastest in a combined time of 1:10:32.92 an average of 20.81 mph. Ben Kolbie from Demorest GA was second +0:16.51 behind and Shannon Himstedt was third +2:32.38 behind.
In the women’s Gran Fondo Jennifer Thornton-Brooks from Boone NC was fastest in a combined time of 1:21:08.34, ahead of Apryl Handy from Gulfport MS in second +13:59.43 behind and Allison Paul from Hillsborough NC in third place +15:02.21 behind.
The Medio Fondo was 67 miles and 6,912 feet of climbing with 3 timed sections. Panagiotis Kefalas from Paros Greece was fastest over the 3 timed sections in a combined time of 1:12:37.92. Justin Scurlock from Texarkana TX in second place +0:17 behind and James Thomas Texarkana TX in third place +3:09 behind.
In the women’s Medio Fondo, Diane Schleicher Dahlonega GA 3 timed sections in 1:38:01.47 ahead of Jayme Shaw from Lawrenceville GA in second place +12:52 behind. Katherine Amidon from Greenville SC was third place +18:25 behind.
The Piccolo fondo was 25 miles with 1,736 feet of climbing with just 1 timed section. Benjamin Rochner Jacksonville FL 11:23.60. Andre Gracindo Pembroke from Pines FL was second +0:48 behind. Rodrigo Simoni from Montverde FL was third +1:08 behind.
In the women’s Piccolo fondo Christina Wallace Cumming GA was fastest on the timed section 13:42.64 ahead of Sarah Nelson from Brookhaven GA was second +0:19 behind and Tia Smith Mount from Holly NC was third +1:56 behind.
Photo: Regular GFNS rider Tia Smith Mount from Holly NC was third in the women’s Piccolo Fondo
Tia Smith from Holly NC, said afterwards, “First place?!?!?! The timed segment for podium purposes is a section of the overall ride, where the fastest times of that segment place 1-3. I knew I had to push it to the MAX to be competitive on the podium. Chad and I started together and he said “go and do it”.
In the team event, North Georgia Cycling Association consisting of Gran Fondo winner Andrew Knight and team mates David Anderson and Mike Lockwood all from Georgia were fastest over the 4 timed sections. Their Time after Bonus: 3:49:22.46. Team Piedmont University from Demorest GA was second approximately 5 mins behind and GetRadATL approximate 33 minutes behind.
Race Results - to 2025 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/georgia-2025-results
2025 Championship Qualifier’s
Over 60 riders qualified for the 2025 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, to be held during Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, MD on September 14, 2025.
After Party & Prize Raffle
There were finisher medals for all riders who completed the Gran, Medio, or Piccolo route.
Riders celebrate their accomplishments, swapped stories with new and old friends over great food provided by La Cabana Mexican Restaurant or Bangkok Haus and enjoyed a refreshing beer compliments of Allagash and Papst at the finish line.
Afterwards everyone enjoyed the legendary Gran Fondo National Series Raffle with over $5,000 of prizes, podium awards.
Next Up: Gran Fondo Highlands
Come and ride one of the “best Gran Fondo’s in North America” which sells out every year attracting over 1,000 cyclists. Grab a FREE Custom Jersey when you register before May 6!
As typical for the Highlands Region, temperatures for last year’s 12th Annual Highlands Gran Fondo in 2024 were in the 70s °F with sunny skies, and made for a perfect day as a thousand riders rolled out of Butler, NJ to experience riding through High Point State Park and throughout the Highlands Region for which the event is named.
And yet, even with a record number of riders on course, riders experienced one of the smoothest editions of Highlands Gran Fondo’s 12-year history.
Just 30 minutes from New York City, the Highlands Gran Fondo event is a great way to experience the landscape outside the New York City metro area. With remarkably quiet country roads and shady tree canopies, this beautiful and challenging ride is well worth the trip.
Sign up by May 6, 2025 (26 days before event) and receive a custom Highlands Event Jersey crafted by the Series title sponsor Suarez Clothing!
The hilly Highlands region outside of Butler, NJ features great climbs, miles and miles of quiet country roads and climbs and ascends to the highest point in New Jersey. The Gran Route crosses the Appalachian trail eight time and showcases some spectacular riding terrain. It’s hard to believe riding this good is located so close to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.
There are three distances on offer, the 103-mile Gran Route has 4 timed sections and 7,500 feet of climbing, the 63-mile Medio route has 3 timed sections and 4,400 feet of climbing, and the 36-mile Piccolo Route has 2 timed sections and 2,600 feet of climbing.
The team category at Highlands is very popular and very competitive. An amazing 25 teams of three riders took part in the team competition last year on the Gran Fondo course.
Offering what is perhaps the best Post Ride Party you’ll ever find at a finish line, High Point Brewery company, brewery of the award winning Ramstein Beers, offer congratulatory beers to the riders as the return from the challenging routes. Along with a fresh hot meal and great comradery shared among the riders, the awards are followed by a Post Ride Raffle with more than $5000 in prizes to give out from Series sponsors, but beware, race director Reuben Kline is known for his uncanny ability to convince riders into doing pushes and other physical acts, like how can stand on one foot the longest.
Whether hanging out for your chance to step onto the podium, win an awesome raffle prize, or just enjoy some great beers with fellow riders, the post ride part is a fun time for all!
In addition to the thrill of the ride, more than $5,000 in prizes will be awarded from Series sponsors, with all riders eligible to win. Not everyone can be fast, while we give great prizes to the winners, we also have great prizes in our raffle.
For more information visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-highlands or click the button below to register now.
