One of the oldest and largest UCI Gran Fondo World Series races has decided to cease operations, call it quits, and announce game over.  The organising committee for UCI La Leggendaria Charly Gaul in Trento, Italy made the announcement on Thursday via press release.

“After careful evaluations relating to the changed scenarios for the development of sport and activities related to cycling in the area, the Organizing Committee of “La Leggendaria Charly Gaul – UCI Gran Fondo World Series” announces the decision not to propose again for 2022 and for years following the event, which due to the pandemic saw the cancellation of the last two editions as well as the collateral events linked to the event.

While fully respecting an event that over the years has been able to gain approval and attention, it was therefore considered that the event is no longer in line with the strategic objectives and with the dynamics of cycling events.”

Started in 2005, La Leggendaria Charly Gaul has provided over 30,000 amateur cyclists with the opportunity to participate in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series (formerly UCI World Cycling Tour) and qualify to race at the amateur World Championships in road and time trial events.

Trento still plans to host the 2022 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships on the La Leggendaria Charly Gaul gran fondo course, finishing on the magnificent Monte Bondone climb, but the event will now be organised by the Trento, Monte Bondone and Valle dei Laghi Tourism Board rather than La Leggendaria Charly Gaul.

In addition, with the cancellation of La Leggendaria Charly Gaul, the UCI will not host a traditional “test” or “dry run” gran fondo race on the World Championship course before 18 September 2022, the date of the next Gran Fondo World Championships.

PHOTOS: La Leggendaria Charly Gaul