UPDATE 22 JULY 2023: The UCI has changed the routes at the last minute. Details and new maps HERE.
Perth, Scotland will host upwards of 8000 amateur cyclists and their entourage in August at the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships on two just revealed road routes.
Trudy Lindblade, CEO of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships taking place throughout Scotland announced, “We are delighted that the Committee today gave the go ahead for the Gran Fondo Road Race to take place in Perth and Kinross.”
On Friday 4 August starting on Tay Street in Perth, the proposed 160km Gran Fondo clockwise road route, with over 1663 meters of vertical ascent, will take racers through Methven, Aberfeldy, Loch Tummel, Pitlochry and Blairgowrie, before returning to the finish line in Perth. Riders will encounter plenty of climbing on lumpy up-and-down roads with few flat sections.
The shorter 85km Medio Fondo route for older category riders also begins on Tay Street, initially following the gran fondo route out to Glenalmond, Bankfoot, Murthly, and then turning back towards Perth in Carsie just short of Blairgowrie. The course is relatively flat with only 777 meters of climbing.
Official 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship Time Trial details HERE.
Local organizers for the 160km long Gran Fondo and 85km Medio Fondo have now also estimated the timing of road closures on race day.
Though, not everyone is thrilled about having the world championships and 8000 cyclists in Perth:
Besides disgruntled local residents, cyclists will also clash with 20,000 attendees at the Perth Agriculture Show taking place on same weekend as the world championships. Hotel rooms and accommodations are expected to be in very high demand and sell out quickly.
Photos: UCI/ Perth and Kinross Council
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