With over than 12,000 participants across four race distances, and having taken place on Sunday 21 October, the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic in South Africa was the final event for this year’s Gran Fondo World Tour (GFWT) series. After nine months, 11 destinations and 12 countries cycled, the GFWT organisers state that the series has seen a total of 38,000 participants in 2018.
New gran fondo distances were introduced for this year’s Durban Classic in South Africa. The longest event was the 160km ride. This had a loop that connected with the traditional 106km route. There were also 65km and 35km race distances available.
With the support of the Tsogo Sun hotels chain and the Durban tourism authority, the Amashova Durban Classic is billed as ‘the oldest mass participation cycling event in Africa.’ It has built a following over the years, as a popular race with elite and amateur cyclists looking for a traditional opening season challenge.
The Gran Fondo World Tour (GFWT) series organisers note that the full 2019 event roster will be announced over the next few weeks. In addition, ‘a scouting team is starting the 2019 expansion to present new calendar in December.’
2018 Gran Fondo World Tour series events (2019 dates to be confirmed in due course):
- 18 Mar – Portoroz Gran Fondo (Slovenia)
- 24 Mar – Saddleback Springs Gran Fondo (USA)
- 12 May – Giant Seorak Gran Fondo (South Korea)
- 20-21 May – Gran Fondo Kazakhstan Tour of Zhetysu (Kazakhstan)
- 9-10 Jun – Sport No Limit Travel Sea Other Europe (Spain)
- 16-17 Jun – Styrkeproven (Norway)
- 16 Jun – Styrkeproven Peugeot Grand Prix Ladies Edition / Gran Fondo World Championship
- 13-15 Jul – La Trilogie de Mauriene (France)
- 5 Aug – Bluewater International Gran Fondo (Canada)
- 16 Sep – Rollfast Gran Fondo (USA)
- 21 Oct – Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic (South Africa)
