The Green Mountain Stage Race (GMSR) returns to the Mad River Valley this Labor Day weekend for its 24th edition, bringing four days of road cycling competition to Vermont. Drawing between 600 and 750 top professional and amateur cyclists, the GMSR is a marquee event on the North American racing calendar. In 2023, it was the largest stage race on the continent, with over 730 racers competing. For many participants, the GMSR is the highlight of their season, race director Gary Kessler said.
Registration for the 2025 race opened in June, and early numbers are strong, according to Kessler. “It’s gratifying to see so many racers registering early for this year’s GMSR,” Kessler said. “We already have riders from across the U.S. and Canada – 32 states and five provinces represented so far. It’s exciting to see the word spreading about the quality of racing here, with 32 riders traveling from California and 30 from Colorado.”
The GMSR will host one of the strongest junior fields in North America. Many junior racers who compete here go on to race at the highest levels of the sport, joining World Tour teams. This year alone, former GMSR juniors placed fourth in the three-week Giro d’Italia, won the eight-day Paris–Nice stage race, and earned top-15 overall finishes at the Tour de France.
Here's the plan for the weekend, and the events.
- Stage 1 – Time Trial (Friday, August 29): Starting on Flat Iron Road in Warren Village, racers will climb East Warren Road to the junction with Common Road in Waitsfield. Riders depart at 30-second intervals, racing against the clock.
- Stage 2 – Circuit Race (Saturday, August 30): Held on a scenic course starting in Randolph, racers will tackle laps along Route 12A and Route 12. Each lap is 37 miles, with fields racing one to three laps depending on category.
- Stage 3 – Mad River Road Race (Sunday, August 31): Featuring two “hors catégorie” climbs – Middlebury Gap and the summit finish atop Appalachian Gap. Most fields will race 65 miles, while the Pro/1/2 field will take on additional climbing. Route 17 will be closed to traffic from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Spectators can take shuttle buses from the Mad River Glen parking lot to the summit – arrive early to chalk the road and cheer riders to the finish!
- Stage 4 – Canaan Motor Sport Club (Monday, September 1): For the first time in GMSR history, the final stage will move from downtown Burlington to New Hampshire due to ongoing road construction. Racers will compete on a 1.3-mile closed racetrack in Canaan, with food trucks and fast-paced action to close out the weekend.
LOCAL SUPPORT
“This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our local business community. We extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, including Mehuron’s Market, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Sugarbush Resort, The Warren Store, and The Bigger Picture,” Kessler said.
The GMSR is still seeking a few volunteers to help make this year’s event a success. Volunteers get close to the action and help support the cycling community. Those interested can email
