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.
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.
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.
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreSEP
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 MoreEvent Photos
FAQs
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
The registration price for the Gran Fondo Hincapie Junior Challenge is $35.
IS FREE REGISTRATION STILL AVAILABLE FOR JUNIORS WHO JUST WANT TO RIDE AND NOT COMPETE? add
Yes, junior riders 18 and under can still register to ride the Gran, Medio, or Piccolo events for free. These participants are not included in the junior challenge but will still enjoy all the fun and festivities of Gran Fondo Hincapie!
WHAT COURSE DOES THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE RIDE? add
All Gran Fondo Hincapie Junior Challenge riders will follow the Medio course on both Saturday and Sunday. Competing juniors MUST ride both days in order to qualify for the prizes. The total distance will on Saturday is 53 and 45 miles on Sunday. Course information can be found at the top of this page.
DO I NEED A USA CYCLING OR UCI RACING LICENSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE? add
Yes, each participant will need to present a current 2024 USA Cycling or UCI license at packet pickup. If you do not have a current USA Cycling License, Junior racing licenses are $40 and you can get one at usacycling.org
DO USA CYCLING RULES APPLY TO THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE? add
Yes, all USA Cycling rules and policies, including junior gear restrictions, will apply. More information can be found at usacycling.org
HOW WILL PARTICIPANTS IN THE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE JUNIOR CHALLENGE LINE UP AT THE START? add
All participants in the Gran Fondo Hincapie Junior Challenge will have their own staging and start corral. All riders must be in the staging corral in front of the Thaden School no later than 6:30 AM. USA Cycling Officials will provide instructions promptly at 6:30. Riders will be called to the start line at 6:45 AM.
IS A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN REQUIRED TO BE PRESENT AT THE EVENT? add
Yes, a parent or legal guardian 18 years of age or older is required to sign a waiver at packet pickup and be present on event day.
CAN PARTICIPANTS HAVE TEAM OR PERSONAL SAG SUPPORT ON COURSE? add
No. For safety reasons no team or personal vehicles will be allowed on course. There will be neutral SAG support provided and three fully stocked rest stops. Any participant found receiving personal SAG or feed will be disqualified.
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