The only Polish stop for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series took place in Myślenice at Majka Gran Fondo on Sunday, with almost 800 amateurs racing in winter-like conditions while attempting to qualify for the 2023 world championships. Leg warmers, long sleeve jerseys, full finger gloves, ear warmers, shoe covers and rain jackets were not optional on the wet 8 °C start line.

The competition was held on 105km gran fondo and 72km medio fondo routes in the Wieliczka Foothills, as well as a 20km individual time trial course on Saturday.

At the 20 kilometer individual time trial, former pro Marcin Karbowy (Velo7 Racing Team) set a blistering time to win by over one minute. The 27 year-old completed the out-and-back course with 190 meters of climbing/descending in 24:59, averaging 52.81kph. Almost twice as old Girts Vevers, 50, finished next in 26:02, followed by Peter Nowacki in 26:07. Kimberly Miller (unattached) won for the women in 28:28.

After finishing third on the time trial podium, Peter Nowacki (Oska Warszawa) stepped up to the top of the gran fondo podium as champion in the 105km race. The 40+ year-old rider defeated Daniel Packi and Kacper Kistowski, with all three finishing in 2 hours 44 minutes. Karolina Kolkowicz (Spica Solutions / TTS Coach) won the women’s gran fondo.

In the 72km medio fondo, Marianne Hald (Hald Edge Cycling) won the women’s race, with Bartlomiej Borsuk (unattached) doing the same for the men.

Riders finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category qualified to attend the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships next August in Scotland.

UCI Majka Gran Fondo live results HERE, final results HERE.

Photo Credit: Katarzyna Hołuj