🏔️ $1,000 KOM / QOM PRIZE PURSE
Win the Climb. Earn the Jersey.
Presented by Richard Duquette at 911Law.com
Two legendary climbs. Cash prizes. Iconic polka dot jerseys.
Palomar Mountain & Cole Grade • Chip-Timed • Podium Ceremony
🏔️ Giro di San Diego KOM / QOM
King & Queen of the Mountain — New for 2026
The Giro di San Diego is raising the bar in 2026 with an all-new, elite climbing competition designed for riders who love to suffer uphill and earn their bragging rights.
Introducing TWO official KOM / QOM climbs—each chip-timed, fiercely competitive, and podium-worthy.
👑 What Is KOM / QOM?
KOM (King of the Mountain) and QOM (Queen of the Mountain) recognize the fastest male and female riders up the toughest climbs on the course. These are designated, timed segments where every second counts.
This is not a participation prize.
This is about strength, grit, and climbing dominance.
And yes—the Giro is not easy.
You earned it.
🏔️ The Two 2026 KOM / QOM Climbs
🔥 Palomar Mountain KOM / QOM
For riders on:
95-Mile Mesa Grande GranFondo
Palomar Metric Century
One of Southern California’s most legendary climbs. Long, relentless, and iconic.
Palomar routes are NOT eligible for Cole Grade awards or Jerseys.
🔥 Cole Grade KOM / QOM
For riders on:
Medio Fondo Route
Steep, punchy, and unforgiving—perfect for pure climbers.
⏱️ Official Timing & Awards
Chip-timed by Gemini Timing
Overall KOM & QOM Podium Ceremony at the Expo
Sponsored by Richard Duquette – 911Law.com
💰 Prize Purse
$1,000 Total Prize Purse
$250 – Overall Male Winner on each KOM Climb ($500 total)
$250 – Overall Female Winner On Each QOM Climb ($500 total)
👕 Hill Climber Polka Dot Jerseys
Exclusive. Earned. Iconic.
Available for all 5-year age-group winners (male & female)
🏆 Show your hill-climber status for years to come by wearing the jersey that proves you conquered the climb.
Jersey Details
Jerseys produced by Primal Clothing
Available for purchase after the ride
Winners will receive a private ordering link following the event
🚴 Why This Matters
The Giro di San Diego offers more than any other Southern California ride—and now, it delivers a true climber’s competition worthy of the strongest riders in the field.
Two legendary climbs
Elite timing
Cash prizes
Podium recognition
And a jersey that tells the story every time you wear it
Think you’ve got what it takes?
This is your mountain.
KOM/QOM Rules
There will be Two Climbs: Palomar and Cole grade.
There will be an awards ceremony for the overall top 3 male / female for each climb with a cash check presented to the 1st place Male and Female in each climb.
Top overall in each climb will also be included in the age group award.
Riders that have a final time on Palomar Ride are automatically entered into the Palomar KOM challenge.
Riders without a final time on Palomar Ride are automatically entered into the Cole Grade KOM challenge.
If a rider has a time on the Palomar Ride they are excluded from the Cole Grade Challenge.
Riders cannot win both Challenges.
There will be no awards ceremony for age groups
Age groups are: 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+
There will be awards for 13 M/ 13F. 26 total per climb. 52 total for both climbs.
Age group awards will be a medal and ribbon and will be available at the merchandise tent along with a certificate with info to order the polka dot jersey. Jersey is available for purchase at the expense of the participant and is optional. They are not required to purchase the jersey.
