After establishing successful events across the U.S., the renowned Hincapie Gran Fondo cycling series will bring its multi-day celebration of rides, music, and outdoor festivities to Bentonville, Arkansas in 2024.
Visit Bentonville, the Ozark Foundation, and cycling legend George Hincapie announce that the rapidly growing cycling hub of Bentonville will become the seventh stop on the Gran Fondo Hincapie circuit this year.
“I am both excited and honored to introduce the Hincapie Gran Fondo to Bentonville,” said George Hincapie, a former pro cyclist, Tour de France stage winner and co-founder of the event series. “Bentonville is rapidly emerging as a hub for cycling in the United States, and we aspire to contribute positively to this incredible community.”
George Hincapie is an American professional road cyclist and Olympian. He is a three-time US National Champion (1998, 2006, 2009), and other significant wins include, the 2001 Gent-Wevelgem, a second place finish at Paris-Roubaix in 2005, and the 2005 Tour de France stage 15 climb to Pla d’Adet. This will not be Mr. Hincapie’s first visit to Arkansas. In 2013 he participated in the Big Dam Bridge 100.
Scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2024, the Gran Fondo Hincapie Bentonville will feature multiple route distances mapped by Hincapie himself – Piccolo (shorter), Medio (mid-length), and Gran (longer) – through the scenic Ozarks terrain. Thousands of riders from pros and celebrities to weekend warriors and newcomers are expected. Off the bikes, a family-friendly festival awaits with live music, food, drinks, and activities.
The Gran Fondo Hincapie is more than just a “big ride.” It’s a multi-day cycling celebration with scenic rides, live music, and a family festival with free fun, food, and drinks. The event is a chance to connect with other cycling enthusiasts and indulge your passion for cycling, no matter your skill level. The series was co-founded by brothers Rich and George Hincapie in 2012 and includes events in Bangor, Maine; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Greenville, South Carolina; Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania; and Merced, California.
Andrea Johnson from Hincapie Sports told us that confetti is released at the beginning of the event. The confetti used is biodegradable, and the organizers also clean up the area by sweeping and vacuuming after the start of the event. Additionally, the city sweeps the streets once the event is over to ensure proper disposal.
“If you are involved in cycling then you’ve heard of Bentonville before,” said Rich Hincapie, president of Hincapie Sportswear and George’s brother. “I’m very excited to bring our Gran Fondo Hincapie series to this one-of-a-kind cycling destination and share our ultimate cycling weekend. My mission has always been to grow the sport of cycling and our Gran Fondo Hincapie series is a great way to connect cyclists all over the world.”
Rich Hincapie is a businessman and an elite-level amateur cyclist. In 2003, Rich founded Hincapie Sportswear, a significant custom cycling wear company based in Greenville, South Carolina.
For Bentonville, hosting the high-profile event is both an economic boon and a chance to cement its cycling credentials.
“Our region’s commitment to outdoor recreation aligns with the Gran Fondo Hincapie,” said Kalene Griffith, president/CEO of Visit Bentonville. “We value their support and know the positive economic impact these types of events have.”
Jamie Cathey, outdoor recreation events manager, echoed that enthusiasm: “This event gives us the opportunity to show that we are a world-class cycling destination for all disciplines and all skill levels. Partnering with an icon of American cycling like George to offer a high-quality road cycling experience is a great way to show how special Bentonville is.”
Registration for the Bentonville Gran Fondo Hincapie is open now at https://hincapie.com/pages/bentonville. Learn more at visitbentonville.com.
