The upcoming Levi's Granfondo 'Growler' race is an exciting event that showcases the talent of professional cyclists, including Sebastopol's Luke Lamperti. This race, which is part of the WorldTour, offers a unique challenge with its 138-mile course and 14,000 feet of climbing. The event is sponsored by the Alexander Valley winery Skipstone and boasts a $156,000 purse, making it the richest one-day bike race in the world.
Lamperti, who is only 23 years old, is off to a strong start in his first season with the EF Education-Easy Post team. He will be competing in the Growler, which is integrated into the Granfondo, a group ride that offers various routes for amateurs and weekend warriors. The Growler is a professional road race that has become known as the toughest one-day race in America, according to former WorldTour racer Peter Stetina.
The race is organized by Bike Monkey, a Santa Rosa-based company, with the goal of reinvigorating the sport of road racing in Sonoma County. The event was founded by Levi Leipheimer, a three-time Tour of California winner, who aims to bring back live professional road racing in the United States. The 2026 edition of the Granfondo includes several upgrades, such as a Thursday 'shakeout' group ride and a new bike partner, Cervelo.
The race will be livestreamed on YouTube, with veteran cycling commentator Hannah Walker and Leipheimer providing commentary. Lamperti, despite not being a climbing specialist, is looking forward to the challenge, as he has a remarkable history with the event, having completed the 'medio' (half-century ride) at age eight and the 'Gran' (103-mile ride) a year later.
The Growler attracts elite riders from various cycling disciplines, including road, gravel, and mountain biking. It features an ethos of self-support, as riders must deal with mechanical issues and carry their own food without the assistance of team cars or mechanics. The race also showcases the talent of women cyclists, with defending champion Lauren Stephens and Alia Shafi among the top contenders.
The event faces challenges in the post-Lance Armstrong era, as U.S. road cycling has seen a decline in participation and attention. The demographic for century rides is aging, and there is a need to rekindle interest in the sport. Adding a high-profile pro race to the Granfondo mix is a strategic effort to leverage the existing event and bring back the excitement and health of road racing in the region.
