The Gran Fondo USA craze continues, with Miami, Florida, taking its place as the final event destination for 2011. The inaugural Gran Fondo Colnago Miami 2011 , takes place on Sunday 20 November in Miami.
According to the event organisers, registrations are ‘pouring in from all over the world’, including: Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the UK, Singapore and 35 different US states. Gran Fondo USA is now part of Star Events, the Monaco-based company behind the TriStar series, with a portfolio of 30+ events worldwide in triathlon, cycling and running. The 2011 Gran Fondo USA series also included Gran Fondos in San Diego, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
Starting at Coral Gables at 07:00 local time, Gran Fondo Colnago Miami cyclists can choose to tackle one of three courses (27 miles, 63 miles or 116 miles). The routes ride first through urban Miami, rich in Spanish architecture, and then move into agricultural and palm tree growing areas, catching memorable views of tropical flora. Cyclists will test their endurance and battle against wind, heat and humidity. Rest stops, especially for the long course, are situated at some of South Florida’s best known tourist locations: a beautiful historic estate, a beloved fruit stand, and one of the largest test gardens in the US.
The last leg of the ride runs parallel to the water, as the courses head back toward downtown Miami, before concluding in front of historic Miami City Hall, site of one of the world’s first air terminals and featured in the new ABC television show ‘Pan Am’.
Gran Fondos are fun and exciting mass cycling events, popular in Italy, a country that captures the essence and the romance of this sport. Participation is open to both recreational and competitive cyclists, who ‘love rides off the beaten path, excellent road service, well-furnished rest stops, and … a great atmosphere all along!’
All Gran Fondo USA events also feature a two-day expo, where athletes pick up their race pack on Saturday and enjoy the post-ride pasta party on Sunday. The Miami expo is located at the Miami City Hall (3500 Pan American Drive, Miami).
“We extend a warm welcome to the first edition of the Gran Fondo USA in Miami, a destination well known in Italy and where Italian products are icons of design, elegance and technology” said Marco Rocca, Consul General of Italy in Miami.
“This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to introduce, through a sporting event of great appeal, a superb Italian industry still to be fully discovered. Thanks to the organizers of Gran Fondo USA for including Miami in their American Series 2011.”
“The success of our events is based on adapting the ‘Made in Italy’ theme to the American cycling community,” added Gran Fondo founder Matteo Gerevini. “We choose metropolitan areas with a strong vocation to our sport and committed to becoming Bicycle-Friendly Cities.”
Sponsors include Colnago, Alitalia, FSA, Campagnolo, Fulcrum, Gaerne, Speedplay, Cuore Italiano, Villa Sandi, the Italian Consulate General in Miami, The Italian Trade Commission, The Italy America Chamber of Commerce of Southeast, GU Energy, Il Borro and Castiglion del Bosco wineries (owned by the Ferragamo family), Prologo, Maxxis, Italy Bike Hotel, and Il Palagetto winery.
Partial proceeds of Gran Fondo Colnago Miami will benefit St Jude Hospital Children’s Research Hospital, internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other devastating diseases. St Jude is the first and only paediatric cancer centre to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
