The 16th International Gran Fondo Ale La Merckx will once again host the European Cycling Union (UEC) Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo Championships from Piazza Bra in Verona, Italy on 11 June 2023.

Twenty distinct white-blue European Champion jerseys adorned with gold stars will be awarded to both male and female amateurs as follows: 129km gran fondo route for age categories 19-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64; 82km medio fondo route for age categories 65-69, 70-74, 75+. UEC champions will also take home a gold medal, while the second and third places are awarded silver and bronze medals respectively.

Enrico Della Casa President of the European Cycling Union: “The Granfondo European Championship now represents one of our successes with regard to the movement of mass cycling events, a constantly growing sector, as demonstrated by the extraordinary success in terms of participation reserved for masters…,”

The 129km route is a climbers delight with an elevation gain of 2600m, while the shorter 82km medio fondo includes 1450m. Both routes finish on the famous “Le Torricelle” climb, 4.5km with an average gradient of 5% that will be lined on both sides with cheering fans.

Gran Fondo Ale La Merckx attracts over 2000 cyclists each year and is dedicated to the “cannibal” Eddy Merckx with sponsorship from cycling clothing brand Ale, which produces all UEC European Champion jerseys for professionals and amateurs.

“We are happy to host this splendid event again in Verona, which sees the best gran fondo and medio fondo riders competing for the jersey of European champion. I will wait for them personally on the podium, to deliver them the Alé jersey of European Champion UEC,” Alessia Piccolo of Ale said.

Complete 2023 UEC Gran Fondo Championship rules and registration HERE.

Photos: UEC