Have a look at the Niseko Classic. It’s an annual Gran Fondo held on the Japanese north island of Hokkaido. Beautiful ski fields in the winter and fantastic location for cycling in the summer.
This is an annual event that is used as a qualifier for the UCI Gran Fondo Worlds (ie a RACE).
In 2026, Niseko will be hosting the UCI Gran Fondo Worlds event itself.
Wow, 7 times! I’m envious!!! The 2025 Lüm theme is pretty cool and very attractive 
Ironman New Zealand. 100%.
Another biased vote for LOTOJA.
Austria’s (and a little bit of Italy!) Ötztaler radmarathon 
228km 5500 D+
4 alpine passes.
The Peaks Challenge is a bucket list ride. The atmosphere and scenery is amazing. I did it in 2022. It’s an exercise in fitness, pacing, fuelling. Epic route.
How about a couple of classic stage races in Vermont:
-Killington Stage Race
-Green Mountain Stage Race (my vote)
Three Peaks Challenge
Show the world that ride/race/challenges EXIST OUTSIDE of the US / North America
Three Peaks Challenge (Nero Pod sent me here, but I am TR subscriber).
He should seriously consider one of the Haute Route events. Very well organized and super competitive. It is easily one of the hardest events I have ever done
Did anybody mentioned already:
And:
Very popular duo.
The Whaka100 MTB Marathon or Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race n New Zealand.
Whilst that’s nice, it’s not a race, just a sportive.
Come on we all know it’s a race!
Étape du Tour is likely the most competitive amateur race in Europe, with nearly 15,000 participants each year. In fact, Victor Lafay won it in 2018 before turning pro! Another great suggestion would be the Maratona dles Dolomites, which is also highly competitive.
GMSR gets my vote too! He had mentioned a road stage race on the pod and GMSR is one of the best around.
Chequamegon 40!
Folks still dropping gravel races in here need to go back and listen to the pod where he talked about his SBT experience.
That’s not to say he couldn’t do The Rift on an XC bike with narrow / fast tires.
You and @IvyAudrain pulled the plug on Unbound 200 this year, so that’s unfinished business. As you know they are heading North again this year and makes for a bit of a funner day with the more varied terrain. After that its back to the South for two years, so it seems now is the time to get in. I think you will have similar vibes after finishing Unbound that you had after finishing Leadville…
You hung out in Bentonville this year during race week, but why not do the Little Sugar/Big Sugar combo? You will rip up the Little Sugar course and Big Sugar is such a fun gravel event where bike set up makes a big difference.
Plus Keegan, Sofia, and Hannah will be at all these events!
Another +1 for Lotoja. Beautiful scenery, epic challenge, and at an awesome time of year!