Dade City, Florida kicked off the 2023 USA Gran Fondo National Series with Gran Fondo Florida on Sunday 19 March. The 100-mile event qualified 67 cyclists to compete at the 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships in September.

Over 425 amateurs participated on 100, 65 and 35 mile long routes, rolling past orange groves, horse farms and the Withlacoochee National Forest. The roller-coaster up-and-down terrain of central Florida, totaling up to 3000 feet of ascent, surprised many riders in a state often thought of as “dead-flat.”

Although the gran fondo was 100 miles in length, riders competed for National Championship qualifying slots on four timed segments totaling just 18.9 miles, with each rider’s total segment time determining final rankings.

After being disqualified at the Chain of Lakes Road Race in February, 32 year-old Camilo Vidal redeemed himself by recording the fastest overall time, 39:20.4, at an average pace of 28.82mph to take the overall victory. GFNY Florida Champion Leon Santamaria (39:22.01) was next, followed by GFNY North American Champion Felipe Aros (39:31.63).

2022 Gran Fondo National Series Champion Eleonora Marquez won the women’s category with a time of 44:17.91, just ahead of Debora Finger (44:21.02) and Lorena Sanchez (44:32.31).

In addition to the podium finishers above, a complete list of riders qualifying for the USA Gran Fondo National Championships can be viewed HERE.

Full Gran Fondo Florida 100-mile results HERE.

Photo Credit: GFNS

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