UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Niseko: A Week of Cycling, Community and Celebration

For one unforgettable week, from 26 – 30 August, Niseko was filled with the energy of cycling as riders from around the world gathered for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.

This marked the first time the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships had been held in Asia, bringing the world stage of amateur cycling to Hokkaido. Riders travelled from across the globe to take on the roads of Niseko, competing in their age groups alongside some of the world’s most passionate amateur cyclists.

For many, the championship was the culmination of months — and sometimes years — of training. It was about more than simply crossing the finish line; it was an opportunity to challenge themselves, compete at the highest level in their age group and share their passion for cycling with a truly international community.

For us at Setsu Niseko, it was especially meaningful to experience this memorable week alongside our guests — from their final training rides and early-morning race preparations to cheering them on as they crossed the finish line.

Niseko Comes Alive with Cycling

In the days leading up to the championship, Niseko was full of riders preparing for race day.

Cyclists could be seen training around the area, getting familiar with the roads and putting in their final preparations. There was a wonderful sense of anticipation throughout the town, with riders, supporters and cycling enthusiasts from around the world coming together in one place.

The weather couldn’t have been better for the week. Warm summer days made it enjoyable to be outdoors, while Niseko’s mountain air remained refreshingly cool — perfect conditions for those putting in their final training miles.

Race Day Begins

Then came Sunday.

The main Gran Fondo races began at 6:00am, with the temperature around 16°C at the start, making for near-perfect conditions for a long day in the saddle. Despite the early start, the area around the start line was already filled with supporters, creating an incredible atmosphere as cyclists prepared to set off.

For Setsu Niseko, the excitement was quite literally on our doorstep. Located right next to the start line, Setsu offered our guests a prime location throughout the championship. Our team was there from the very beginning of race day, supporting our guests as they prepared their bikes and made their way towards the start.

Celebrating Our Guests

We were honoured to welcome a number of riders who stayed with us at Setsu Niseko, including Zack Morris, who delivered an exceptional performance, finishing second in his age group in the time trial. Before the race, Zack also shared some of his cycling secrets with us in a special video we created ahead of the championship.

It was special to see some of our guests take to the podium, celebrating top-place finishes as their national anthems played during the medal ceremonies. Sharing in these proud moments with them was a highlight of the week and something we were incredibly proud to witness.

Among the riders staying with us were also Nadezhda and Taira, who shared moments from their stay and race experience with their own communities, giving their followers a glimpse into life in Niseko during the championships.

Every rider arrived at the starting line with their own motivation. For some, it was the pursuit of a podium finish. For others, it was the chance to test themselves against the best riders in their age group. And for some, it was simply about pushing their own limits and improving on what they had achieved before.  Whatever brought them to Niseko, it was a privilege to support them along the way — from the excitement before the race to the celebrations at the finish line. We were incredibly proud to cheer them on and be part of their championship experience.

From “Good Luck” to “Welcome Back”

Perhaps one of our favourite moments of the entire week happened at the very beginning and end of race day. Before setting off in the early morning, our guests left Setsu with our “Good Luck” sign and the encouragement of our team behind them.

And when they returned, we were waiting with a “Welcome Back” sign. After all the training, preparation and hours spent on the road, it was our small way of saying: You did it. Well done!

Proud to Be Part of the World Championships

The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships brought an incredible energy to Niseko, filling the area with riders and supporters from around the world and showcasing Hokkaido as a spectacular destination for cycling.

For Setsu Niseko, it was a privilege to experience this special week from such a unique position, right beside the start line, close to the final challenge, and most importantly, alongside our guests. From the first training rides to the final finish, we were incredibly proud and honoured to be part of their journey.

To all the riders who took part: Congratulations on an incredible week. Thank you for letting the Setsu team cheer you on. We hope to welcome you back to Niseko, perhaps for another race, another adventure, or simply another stay in the mountains.