Following on the success of Gran Fondo Ventoux in France after it added a top-level UCI professional race in 2019, USA based GFNY announced it too will add a pro race as part of its popular New York City amateur gran fondo in 2024.
“An actual pro race minutes ahead of the amateurs will bring GFNY a step closer to integrating professional racing in a mass participation race. Running and triathlon have shown the power of this format where all athletes get to race against their heroes. It’s time for cycling to follow this successful model at select races,” organizer Uli Fluhme said in a press release.
While details of the men’s pro race are still being worked out, including a list of committed teams, it will be called Gran Premio GFNY New York City, take place 19 May 2024 and depart 15 minutes ahead of the amateur gran fondo event. Pros and amateurs will ride on the same route, albeit a new one that is shorter and skips the famous Bear Mountain climb.
Unfortunately, a pro women’s race is not part of Fluhme’s go pro plans, “We tried to add a female pro race back in 2017 but received little to no interest,” he posted on Twitter.
This year’s amateur gran fondo event on 21 May will be a test run of the new “pro” course – 136 km with 1930m of ascent, but not everyone is thrilled with the change.
Twitter user Juan Diego Villegas of Colombia, who rode the amateur event in 2022, posted, “no bear mountain, no century ride. This is not what we signed up for.”
Fluhme tried to reassure Villegas all will be well. “I understand change is difficult but I’m sure you can do the new course. If not, we won’t leave you stranded,” he tweeted.
Hopefully, Fluhme means it this time as riders were left stranded on Bear Mountain for hours without food, water and bathrooms last year.
Photo Credit: Theresa Malone
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