South Side Cycles Takes on the UCI Gran Fondo World Champs in Japan
South Side Cycles, in partnership with Expedition Edu, was proud to take 25 South African riders, alongside supporters, friends and family, to Niseko, Japan, for the 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. What began as a group cycling tour became far more meaningful: a week of shared challenge, international racing, new friendships and the unmistakable energy of South Africans proudly showing up on the world stage.
From 24–31 August, our group enjoyed three nights in Tokyo before travelling to Niseko for four nights of race-week excitement. With accommodation, airport transfers, bicycle transport, guided experiences, a welcome dinner and a post-race celebration all taken care of, riders could focus on preparing, racing and enjoying the experience.
For many riders, the World Championships were a major personal goal. Some arrived ready to chase a result, while others wanted to test themselves on unfamiliar roads, experience the atmosphere of a UCI-sanctioned event and tick off a genuine bucket-list adventure. Every rider came with a different motivation, but we all lined up with the same mix of excitement, nerves and determination.
The event delivered everything we love about a Gran Fondo: challenging climbs, fast bunches, spectacular scenery and the encouragement of fellow cyclists when the legs began to feel the effort. There were strong performances, hard-earned finishes and countless stories shared at the finish line.
Behind the scenes, South Side Cycles worked to make the trip smooth, social and memorable—from logistics and accommodation to race preparation, group experiences and post-race celebrations. The tour was about more than a single day of racing; it was an opportunity to discover Japan, connect through cycling and create memories both on and off the bike.
To our 25 South African riders: thank you for trusting South Side Cycles with your World Championships journey, representing our cycling community with pride and bringing such incredible spirit to Niseko.
