Lamperti and Courtney Set to Debut at The Growler at Levi’s GranFondo

Paris-Nice stage winner Luke Lamperti and UCI Cross-country Marathon MTB world champion Kate Courtney will create their debuts at the 2026 Growler presented by Skipstone, part of Levi’s GranFondo. Both Northern California natives are eager to participate in the increasingly popular local event.

The Growler: A Rising Force in North American Cycling

The 136-mile one-day race, held in Windsor, California on April 25, 2026, boasts a substantial $156,000 prize purse, split equally between elite men and women, and will be live-streamed. The event has quickly gained prominence, attracting top cyclists and a growing fanbase. The Growler has cemented its place as the richest road race in the world, with a 283% increase in its prize purse.

Lamperti Returns to His Roots

For Luke Lamperti, the race represents a return to the roads that shaped his cycling career. He first participated in Levi’s GranFondo in 2011, completing the 60-mile route at the age of eight. Lamperti, currently riding for EF Education-EasyPost, initially planned to compete in 2025 but illness forced him to prioritize preparation for the Giro d’Italia. He expressed his excitement about racing locally, noting his family’s long-time support of event founder Levi Leipheimer. “It’s my local fondo and normally I’ll be home, so just to be there will be super nice, as will being able to ride with everybody,” Lamperti told Cyclingnews.

Courtney Joins a Strong Women’s Field

Kate Courtney joins a competitive field that includes returning champions Lauren De Crescenzo (2024) and Lauren Stephens (2025), as well as Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Paige Onweller. Courtney, the UCI Cross-country Marathon MTB world champion, is expected to be a major contender.

Defending Champions Expected to Return

Keegan Swenson, the men’s Growler champion from the past two years, is anticipated to defend his title after recovering from a spring injury. Newcomers to the elite men’s field include Lamperti, Simon Pellaud, and Michael Woods.

ECA Summer Camps Accepting Applications

Applications are now open for EuroCrossAcademy (ECA) summer cyclo-cross camps, running from July 20 to August 8, 2026, in Montana and Vermont. These camps are designed for North American riders aged 14-22 and focus on skill development and preparation for European racing. ECA aims to create a pathway for young riders to excel in cyclo-cross.

Pan American Road Championships Results

At the Pan American Road Championships in Colombia, César Macías earned the silver medal in the men’s elite road race, and Diana López of Mexico finished fourth in the women’s elite race. Several other North American riders also placed in the top 10.