After a five month pandemic pause the 2020 Alpes-Maritimes Granfondo Challenge Series got underway on 2 August in Saint Martin Vesubie, France.
On a blistering hot day with temperatures above 33C (90F), 163 cyclists started the Mercan’Tour Gran Fondo, the first event of the series, racing on 115 and 85km routes, including KOM segments to the top of Col de Turini – 15km at 7% and 23km at 5%.
Thomas Lemaitre won the men’s 115km race KOM with a combined climbing time of 1:44:34, followed closely by Ricardo Pichetta at 1:45:02 and Mattia Magnaldi at 1:45:02.
Christel Robin narrowly took home victory for the women in 2:17:51 with Malorie Beunard only 2 seconds back at 2:17:53. Nathalie Favreau finished next at 2:22:44.
On the 85km route including only one KOM ascent of Col de Turini, Loic Fabre earned the men’s KOM with Morgane Amiroli winning the women’s.
Next up for the 2020 Alpes-Maritimes Gran Fondo Challenge Series is Mercan’Tour Bonette DT Swiss Gran Fondo in Valberg, France on 23 August.
Mercan’Tour Gran Fondo 2020 full results here.
GRAN FONDO DAILY NEWS 