On the first day of Gran Fondo Cyprus, 219 riders from 39 countries rolled down the start ramp in the village of Nikokleia, Cyprus to try and qualify for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship Time Trial.

On a Gran Fondo World Series 28.3km course that climbed 240m before turning around and descending back to the finish, early results show 33 year-old Norwegian mountain biker Espen Helgesen (Team Kjekkas) defeated the powerful Zakarin brothers, both ex-WorldTour professionals, by a wide margin. Helgesen finished in 36:39 with an average speed of 46.32kph, over 25 seconds ahead of Aidar Zakarin (37:04) and Ilnur Zakarin (37:08).

In the women’s competition local Cyproit rider Constantina Georgiou (APOEL) was fastest, stopping the clock in 48:14 to qualify for the world championships. Diana Egerton-Warburton (48:36) and Sharone Cohen (48:47) earned second and third place respectively.

Worlds qualification continues on Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 April, with two road events, both allowing riders the opportunity to qualify for UCI Gran Fondo World Championship Road Races.

Riders finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category in the time trial or road races automatically qualify to participate in the world championships talking place in Scotland next August.

Complete Gran Fondo Cyprus Time Trial results HERE.

Photo Credit: Activate Cyprus

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