GRAND PRIX WEEKEND
May 17-19
A USA Cycling National Event
2023 Recipient of USA TODAY’S 10 Best Award:
Best Road Cycling Events in the U.S.
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WEEKEND TIMELINE
ABOUT WGP
The Wilmington Grand Prix, one of the premier criterium-style bike races in the U.S., will return for its 16th edition May 17-19, 2024.
The Wilmington Grand Prix is an early-season stop on USA Cycling’s (USAC) National Racing Calendar, which is made up of the top bike races in America. A criterium is a bike race of a specified number of laps held on a closed course on public roads.
“The Wilmington Grand Prix is an important race on our National Calendar,” said Chuck Hodge, USA Cycling’s Chief of Racing & Events. “Racers love the technical nature of the course and the enthusiastic crowds that greet them.”
“Nothing beats the kickoff event on Monkey Hill with its festival atmosphere,” said WGP Race Director Laura Van Gilder (Crespo, Pa.), one of the winningest female racers in USAC history. “Then there’s the high-speed racing with the pros on Saturday downtown, and the scenic Gran Fondo ride on Sunday through picturesque Northern Delaware. The Grand Prix weekend is steeped in tradition for racers and the local community.”
“The Wilmington Grand Prix is one of my favorite races,” said two-time women’s winner Tina Pic of Gainesville, Ga. The course is fast, technical, challenging and ends on a great hill. I was lucky enough to stay and ride the Gran Fondo. What a beautiful and well- supported event. You shouldn’t miss this one whether you are racing or just there for the Fondo.”
The action starts Friday night (May 17) with the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2-mile race against the clock through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park. Saturday (May 18) will feature the Major Taylor Community Ride at 11:30am followed by men’s and women’s professional and amateur racing. Sunday (May 19) will see the return of the 11th Annual Governor’s Ride and the 10th Annual Delaware Gran Fondo. Last year’s Gran Fondo attracted cyclists from 18 states (including Texas, Colorado and Florida) and 5 countries (including Australia, Great Britain, Mexico and Canada) by offering them a scenic tour through the Brandywine Valley and some of Delaware’s most-prized cultural attractions.
F.A.Q.'s
Time Trial FAQs
No, the event is free and open to the public.
All the activities and attractions are free. No cost for any of the children’s activities.
Monkey Hill has become the premiere location to watch the racer beat the clock as they race up the cobblestones. There is a beer garden and food trucks at the top of the hill.
Monkey Hill is ideal for a blanket or lawn chairs.
General FAQs
Depends, some people love the turns of the figure eight course which would mean ideal viewing locations would be: 10th and Market, 5th and Market, 5th and King and 10th and King. If you like the rush of the finish the start finish is in front of the Grand Opera House in the 800 block of Market Street.
No the event is free and open to the public.
All the activities and attractions are free. No cost for any of the children’s activities.
You are welcome to set up a perch along the course or feel free to grab some food at one of the many course cafes; Ernest and Scott, DiMeo’s, Bardea, Stitch House, Merchant Bar, The Queen, Chelsea Tavern, or Cavanaugh’s.
You may want to bring a chair on Friday, on Monkey Hill, to watch the time trial.
No, the WGP is the only Downtown event that carries a license that allows you to drink your beer anywhere along course footprint.
No, the racers are the best at their sport and in 2019 they came from 19 states and six countries to compete in the WGP. The Wilmington Grand Prix has been on USA Cycling’s (USAC) national calendar for 13 years and its figure-eight course is considered one of the most challenging on the national circuit.
Yes, the show goes on so long as we are not experiencing a thunderstorm.
Gran Fondo FAQs
Registration is now open. Only 500 riders accepted. Register today!
Sunday: Beginning at 6:30am at ride start (under Tower at Rockford Park).
All Welcome bags with souvenir T-shirts, etc. will be given to riders at the completion of their ride. (no need to run things back to your car or have us hold items). Gran Fondo riders, your registration/chip pick-up will be a one-step process.
- Free gravel lot at 1515 Tower Road, Wilm., DE 19806 (corner of Tower Rd and PA Ave)
Approximately one-quarter mile from the Fondo and Governor’s Ride start line.
Delaware Gran Fondo is 60.7 miles/98 km long (3,912 feet of climbing)
Medio Fondo is 32 miles/52 km long (1,727 feet of climbing)
Governor’s Cycle Tour is 15 miles/ 24 km long.
Medio Fondo:
Map My Ride | Strava
Gran Fondo: Welcome packet, souvenir T-shirt, USA Cycling rider insurance, course marking, aid stations, chip timing for two climbs, completion medal, post-ride BBQ with craft beer, competition prizes, bike parking at festivities and more.
Medio Fondo: Welcome packet, souvenir T-shirt, USA Cycling rider insurance, course marking, aid stations, post-ride BBQ with craft beer, bike parking at festivities and more.
Governor’s Ride: Welcome packet, souvenir T-shirt, USA Cycling rider insurance, course marking, aid stations, post-ride BBQ with craft beer, bike parking at festivities and more.
No, a racing license is not needed or required. Every cyclist will be insured individually by USA Cycling. The cost for the insurance is included in the entry fee.
No, not at all. We encourage riders of all fitness levels. Some people will compete on the climbs at the Gran Fondo, others will just complete the course and enjoy the stunning vistas and attractions and the camaraderie of doing the ride with hundreds of other cyclists. The Medio Fondo offers riders a more challenging ride than the Governor’s Ride, however, it is much less challenging than the Gran Fondo.
Riders must be 16 or older to participate.
We partner with BikeReg.com. Links are accessible above via the main navigation menu. When registration is open, the event is limited to the first 500 riders. Don’t wait – sign up today!
We suggest you use a road bike as it is the best option to ride in groups. Its light weight makes climbing easier. You can also ride a mountain bike, touring bike or single speed (with two brakes). A triathlon bike is fine as long as you keep your hands on the brake lever while riding in a group. If you chose to ride as a tandem, both riders have to register for the event. Tandems are not eligible for KOM/QOM prizes. Recumbent bikes, trailers and bike seats are not allowed for safety reasons.
No. It is not a race. However, the two key climbs of the Gran Fondo are chip timed and count towards the King and Queen of Mountain competition. You will see signs that indicate an upcoming climb. Once you cross the sign at the bottom of the hill, your time starts running until you cross the sign on the top of the hill. You are only eligible for competition prizes if you
complete the full course of the Gran Fondo.
The Governor’s Ride is not timed and non-competitive.
First Climb @ mile 10.1 for .5 miles/Avg Grade 7.0%
Second Climb @ mile 17.1 for .5 miles/Avg Grade 5.4%
The cumulative time of each timed climb will determine winners for each category at the Wilmington Grand Prix Gran Fondo.
Governor’s Ride FAQs
Registration is open. Only 500 riders accepted. Register today!
Sunday: Beginning at 7am at ride start (under Tower at Rockford Park)
All Welcome bags with souvenir T-shirts, etc. will be given to riders at the completion of their ride. (no need to run things back to your car or have us hold items). Gran Fondo riders, your registration/chip pick-up will be a one-step process.
- Free gravel lot at 1515 Tower Road, Wilm., DE 19806 (corner of Tower Rd and PA Ave)
Approximately one-quarter mile from the Fondo and Governor’s Ride start line.
Delaware Gran Fondo is 64 miles/103 km long.
Medio Fondo is 34 miles/57 km long
Governor’s Cycle Tour is 15 miles/ 24 km long.
Governor’s Ride:
Map My Ride | Strava
Gran Fondo: Welcome packet, souvenir T-shirt, USA Cycling rider insurance, course marking, aid stations, chip timing for two climbs, completion medal, post-ride BBQ with craft beer, competition prizes, bike parking at festivities and more.
Medio Fondo: Welcome packet, souvenir T-shirt, USA Cycling rider insurance, course marking, aid stations, post-ride BBQ with craft beer, bike parking at festivities and more.
Governor’s Ride: Welcome packet, souvenir T-shirt, USA Cycling rider insurance, course marking, aid stations, post-ride BBQ with craft beer, bike parking at festivities and more.
No, a racing license is not needed or required. Every cyclist will be insured individually by USA Cycling. The cost for the insurance is included in the entry fee.
No, not at all. We encourage riders of all fitness levels. Some people will compete on the climbs at the Gran Fondo, others will just complete the course and enjoy the stunning vistas and attractions and the camaraderie of doing the ride with hundreds of other cyclists. The Medio Fondo offers riders a more challenging ride than the Governor’s Ride, however, it is much less challenging than the Gran Fondo.
Riders must be 16 or older to participate.
We partner with BikeReg.com. Links are accessible via the main navigation. Registration opens January 15 and only the first 600 riders will be accepted.
We suggest you use a road bike as it is the best option to ride in groups. Its light weight makes climbing easier. You can also ride a mountain bike, touring bike or single speed (with two brakes). A triathlon bike is fine as long as you keep your hands on the brake lever while riding in a group. If you chose to ride as a tandem, both riders have to register for the event. Tandems are not eligible for KOM/QOM prizes. Recumbent bikes, trailers and bike seats are not allowed for safety reasons.
No. It is not a race. However, the two key climbs of the Gran Fondo are chip timed and count towards the King and Queen of Mountain competition. You will see signs that indicate an upcoming climb. Once you cross the sign at the bottom of the hill, your time starts running until you cross the sign on the top of the hill. You are only eligible for competition prizes if you
complete the full course of the Gran Fondo.
The Governor’s Ride is not timed and non-competitive.
Wilmington Grand Prix is presented by the following sponsors.
Beneficiaries
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