A LARGE CASH PURSE & PRIZES + THE FUN OF GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE!

The road to seventeen Tour de France finishes, spring classic wins, and national championships must start somewhere, right? For George Hincapie, learning to ride, win, and lead a team started from an early age in countless events across the country. Giving back to the sport we love so that it can grow both at home and abroad is a priority. We also believe that riding a bike should be FUN; what better way to accomplish this than to give Junior riders their own stage at this year’s Gran Fondo Hincapie–Bentonville!

Rides /

Junior Challenge Courses

Please Note: juniors must participate in the Saturday AND Sunday course in order to be eligible for prizes.

Medio - Saturday

The Saturday Medio course is a perfect opportunity for juniors to put their training to the test and compete in our Junior Challenge. The Gran Fondo Hincapie-Bentonville Junior Challenge will begin with a neutral start to mile 1.8. The miles that come next will be a mixture of flat to rolling hills so enjoy it and use these miles wisely. The next 33 miles could best be described as a roller coaster of steep ups and fast downs.

Having conquered countless short steep hills and three more timed segments, Junior Challenge riders will make their way to the Timed Finish Line where their results will be recorded. The Timed Finish Line is located three miles away from our Family Fun Festival and these miles will be a neutral ride to the festival grounds.

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Ride Details

Elevation Image

Elevation:

3,641 ft

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Climbs:

4 Timed

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Rest Stops:

2

Register Now View Route
Medio - Sunday

We call it Junior Challenge for a reason. Our Sunday course is fast! This 45-mile course will begin with 20 hilly miles that will challenge riders right off the start. Not to fear, at mile 16 riders will cross the state line into Missouri.

The next 20 miles feature fast rolling roads in the open countryside of Southern Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. Riders will also reach the first of two timed segments at Mile 23. This six mile long segment follows Pine Creek through open farm land and rolling hills. The finish of the segment is at the Missouri-Arkansas Stateline! Who will be the first back to Arkansas?

After blasting through the fast, serpentine roads of Southwest Missouri, riders make their way back into Arkansas near the town of Pea Ridge. From here the Junior Challenge riders will make their way to the Timed Finish Line where their results will be recorded. The Timed Finish Line is located three miles away from our Family Fun Festival and these miles will be a neutral ride to the festival grounds.

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Ride Details

Elevation Image

Elevation:

2,930 ft.

Elevation Image

Climbs:

2 Timed

Elevation Image

Rest Stops:

2

Register Now View Route

Event Schedule /

The Upcoming Itinerary

SEP

06

2024

3:30PM - 7:00PM

Junior Challenge 2024: Packet Pickup & Onsite Registration

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

A parent or legal guardian must be present on site during the event to sign waiver and be available to contact in case of emergency. You must present your valid USAC or UCI license at packet pickup.

Read More

SEP

07

2024

6:00 AM

Junior Challenge 2024: Start Corral Opens

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

Junior Challenge will have a separate start corral in the front of the start chute. Start corrals open at 6:00 a.m., and all Junior Challenge participants must be in the start corral by 6:30 a.m.

Read More

SEP

07

2024

7:00AM

Junior Challenge 2024: Saturday Ride Starts

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

Junior Challenge participants will have a separate start corral at the front of the ride start, but all rides will go off at the same time. There is not a separate start for Junior Challenge.

Read More

SEP

07

2024

9:30AM-3:00PM

Junior Challenge 2024: Family Festival & Expo

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

We are a family friendly event, so bring your family and friends to celebrate with you when you cross that finish line at our Family Fun Festival! Our Vendor Expo, free food, beverages and a whole lot of fun await!

Read More

SEP

07

2024

9:30AM-3:00PM

Junior Challenge 2024: Sunday Packet Pickup & Onsite Registration

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

A parent or legal guardian must be present on site during the event to sign waiver and be available to contact in case of emergency. You must present your valid USAC or UCI license at packet pickup.

Read More

SEP

07

2024

1:30 PM

Junior Challenge 2024: Awards Ceremony

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

Celebrate our top Junior Challenge cyclists after your ride at the Family Festival. We are giving away a large cash prize and great gifts from out sponsors! *Please Note: Juniors must participate in the Saturday AND Sunday course in order to be eligible for prizes.

Read More

SEP

08

2024

5:00AM-6:30AM

Junior Challenge 2024: Packet Pickup & Onsite Registration

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

A parent or legal guardian must be present on site during the event to sign waiver and be available to contact in case of emergency. You must present your valid USAC or UCI license at packet pickup.

Read More

SEP

08

2024

6:00AM

Junior Challenge 2024: Start Corral Opens

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

Junior Challenge will have a separate start corral in the front of the start chute. Start corrals open at 6:00 a.m., and all Junior Challenge participants must be in the start corral by 6:30 a.m.

Read More

SEP

08

2024

7:00AM

Junior Challenge 2024: Sunday Ride Starts

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

Junior Challenge participants will have a separate start corral at the front of the ride start, but all rides will go off at the same time. There is not a separate start for Junior Challenge.

Read More

SEP

08

2024

9:30AM – 3:00PM

Junior Challenge 2024: Family Festival & Expo

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

We are a family friendly event, so bring your family and friends to celebrate with you when you cross that finish line at our Family Fun Festival! Our Vendor Expo, free food, beverages and a whole lot of fun await!

Read More

SEP

08

2024

1:30PM

Junior Challenge 2024: Awards Ceremony

Thaden School 410 SE Staggerwing Lane, Bentonville, AR 72712

Celebrate our top Junior Challenge cyclists after your ride at the Family Festival. We are giving away a large cash prize and great gifts from out sponsors! *Please Note: Juniors must participate in the Saturday AND Sunday course in order to be eligible for prizes.

Read More
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Event FAQs

WHO IS THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE FOR? add

The Junior Challenge is for all cyclists ages 10–18 who wish to compete. Racing age is determined by each participant’s age on December 31st, 2023.

WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION PRICE? add

IS FREE REGISTRATION STILL AVAILABLE FOR JUNIORS WHO JUST WANT TO RIDE AND NOT COMPETE? add

WHAT COURSE DOES THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE RIDE? add

DO I NEED A USA CYCLING OR UCI RACING LICENSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE? add

DO USA CYCLING RULES APPLY TO THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE? add

HOW WILL PARTICIPANTS IN THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE LINE UP AT THE START? add

IS A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN REQUIRED TO BE PRESENT AT THE EVENT? add

CAN PARTICIPANTS HAVE TEAM OR PERSONAL SAG SUPPORT ON COURSE? add

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