2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Niseko, Japan
26 – 31 August 2026
See our flexible bookings payment plans. View Details.
2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Niseko, Japan
The biggest Sportive cycling event of the year. The 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships take place in Niseko, Japan between the 26th and 31st August 2026.
Sportive Breaks Tour dates:
- 5 night tour – 26th – 31st August
The event sees riders from around the world compete for the Rainbow Jersey in the Time Trial and Gran Fondo Road Race. This event is the pinnacle of amateur Gran Fondo racing. To qualify, participants must an event that’s part of the 2025 and 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Series and finish in the top 25% of your age group. Qualifying is not as hard as you think so give it a go and represent your country in 2026!
2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Niseko schedule
- Thursday 27 August: Time Trial
- Friday 28 August: Team Relay Criterium
- Sunday 30 August: UCI Gran Fondo World Championships – Gran Fondo
Sportive Breaks and the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Sportive Breaks are one of the most experienced Tour Operators for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships and were the official travel partner for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth, Scotland, as well as providing travel and support packages to qualified riders for the 2024 edition in Aalborg and the 2025 edition in Lorne. We will have staff support at the event in Niseko to support you during your stay.
Spread your payments and pay in your local currency: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. Pay in a selection of currencies
Book with the experts: Sportive Breaks are the official travel partner of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. We also looked after Team Australia in Perth in 2023, Aalborg in 2024 and Lorne in 2025
Hotel in a prime location: Both hotels are located a short distance from the start line.
All room types available: Stay in a room to suit your needs in a great location.
Cycling services: As well as hotels, we also offer mechanic services, guided rides on the courses and advice and support from our experienced team of hosts and riders
What's Included?
Accommodation
Both hotels are located a short distance away from the start line.
Available Rooms
Single, Double and Twin rooms available.
Guided Warm-Up Rides
Recon of ITT course and highlights of Gran Fondo course
Mechanic
Mechanic service located at the Always Niseko hotel
Airport Transfers - Available as a supplement
Private transfers available on request
Experienced Team
Experienced team of guides and mechanics. Single travellers are welcome to join our group.
Packages and Prices
Package 1 – Team Australia Experience – Open to all nationalities
Stay with us in Niseko and enjoy the support of our experienced bike guides, hosts and bike mechanics. This package is part of Team Australia but is open to all riders and nationalities.
Room Types
- Twin, single or double rooms available. Triple and quad share options are on request.
Prices
- From £1139.00 per person based on two people sharing a twin (2 single beds)
- From £1529.00 per person based on single occupancy of room
- Discount for a none rider £289.00
Included with your tour
- 5 nights in Always Niseko hotel with daily breakfasts.
- Two team dinners
- Expert guides and bike mechanic
- Guided warm-up rides
- Detailed itinerary
- Team Australia event pack for Australian residents only.
- ABTA protected
Also available
- Private transfers available on request
- Sports Massage – a link to a booking portal will be sent our prior to the trip to book your slot. Cost will be around £90 for 45 Mins.
Premium Experience package – Staying at the award winning Hanazono retreat.
Located just under 10km from the start/finish line, this hotel is perfect for relaxing before the race.
Room Types
- Twin, single or double rooms available. Triple and quad share options are on request.
Prices
- From £1239.00 per person based on two people sharing a twin (2 single beds)
- From £1789.00 per person based on single occupancy of room
- Discount for a none rider £289.00
Included with your tour
- 5 nights at Niseko Style Hanazono with daily breakfast.
- Superior room at the hotel
- Access to gym, sauna and onsen.
- Bike mechanic will be located at the Always Niseko hotel.
- Guided warm-up rides
- Detailed itinerary
- Team Australia event pack for Australian residents only.
- ABTA protected
Also available
- Private transfers available on request
- Sports Massage – a link to a booking portal will be sent our prior to the trip to book your slot. Cost will be around £90 for 45 Mins. This service is located at the Always Niseko hotel.
Itinerary
Please make your way to your chosen hotel.
We can book private transfers on request. Please contact us if you require a private transfer.
Our hotel
Depending on your chosen package you will be staying at the Always Niseko hotel or Niseko Style Hanazono. Both hotels are on a Bed and Breakfast basis.
Mechanic servies will be available from 10am at the Always Niskeo hotel.
Time Trial registration is from 12:00 – 17:00.
Time Trial briefing is at 14:00 – 15:00.
Today is the individual Time Trial. Times for age categories will be announced shortly but times will be allocated between 07:00 and 14:00.
Sports massage sessions will be held today at the Always Niseko hotel from 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 18:00. A link to the booking portal will be sent out prior to the event to book your slot. A 45 minute message will cost around £90.00
At 14:00 we will run a guided ride on the course of the Road Race.
For those on the Team Australia package we will host a team welcome dinner at 18:30.
Today is the Team Relay, you can register at 13:00 and the race will be 16:00-16:50. If you aren’t participating you can cheer on your fellow country riders.
Sports massage sessions will be held today at the Always Niseko hotel from 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 18:00. A link to the booking portal will be sent out prior to the event to book your slot. A 45 minute message will cost around £90.00
A Niskeo Discovery fun ride will be held today if you wanted to join between 09:00 – 15:00.
Sports massage sessions will be held today at the Always Niseko hotel from 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 18:00. A link to the booking portal will be sent out prior to the event to book your slot. A 45 minute message will cost around £90.00
You will need to register for the road race and that can be done today between 09:30 and 17:30. A briefing will be held at 14:00 lasting an hour.
For those on the Team Australia package the pre race dinner will be at 18:00.
Today is the day!
Getting to the start
It’s just a short roll out from each of our hotels to the start line. Please make your own way to the start this morning, based on your own start time. Our staff will be on hand this morning if you have any last-minute mechanical issues, or if you need directions to the start line.
Age Groups – 19-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+ (Age on 31 Dec 2025)
Podium times will be announced soon.
After breakfast, please check out of the hotel.
If you need a private transfer, please contact us for more information.
More About the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2026
Launched in 2011, the UCI Gran Fondo World Series (formerly known as the UCI World Cycling Tour) is a series of UCI-sanctioned road races held all over the world. Throughout the 2025-2026 season, a series of events will qualify the top 25% in each age group for the 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. The age group winners of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships are awarded the UCI rainbow jersey. The qualifier events are open to riders of all levels – those who aim to make the podium and others who wish to cross the finish line in the best possible time. For more information, click here.
Who can take part?
Each UCI Gran Fondo World Series event of the 2025-2026 seasons grants qualification rights for the 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships (to view the events calendar, click here). Based on the results of each race, the first 25% of athletes in each age group will be qualified for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. The 25% is calculated based on the number of starters in each age group, and not on the number of riders having finished the race. In addition, the first three riders of each official age category will qualify directly for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, independently of the number of starters in that age group. Riders must finish the race to gain qualification. For all rules, click here.
Jersey is obligatory
It is mandatory for a rider to wear their national kit at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Time Trial, Team Relay and Road Race. Although the official national jersey is not required, a jersey representing their country with a similar design and colours as the original national team jersey is required. Private or club sponsors are allowed to be featured on the national jersey.
2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Sportive Breaks were the official fan and amateur participant travel and experiences provider of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and Scotland.
2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
The 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships took place in Aalborg, Denmark.
2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
The 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships took place in Lorne, Australia.
2026 UCI Gran Fondo Strava Routes - Coming soon
2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships – Coming soon
Book now
Sportive Breaks are part of the Destination Sport Experiences Group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please do contact our team [email protected]
You're in safe hands
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years. We are members of ABTA and ATOL meaning you can book with confidence.
Plenty to choose from
Did you know? We offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Spread your payments
Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply
Logistics covered
We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.
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