Less than three weeks from the planned 2 July start date of Gran Fondo de Guatemala, a UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifying race, the event and promoter cannot be found.

In December the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) announced Gran Fondo de Guatemala would be part of the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Series and take place in the Central American capital city of Guatemala City. So far, the event website (ucigranfondogt.com), routes, logistics and registration information are not available. Gran Fondo Daily News recently reached out to the organizer’s email address listed with the UCI for comment, but did not receive a response.

It is now almost certain that the event will not take place, making it the second 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifying race in The America’s to be cancelled. Canada’s Velo Victo Fest dropped out in January.

That means no events remain in The America’s for cyclists to qualify for the upcoming world championships in Scotland.

Two UCI Gran Fondo World Series events in The America’s already qualified riders for the world championships: Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo in the United States on 14 May and Gran Fondo Costa Rica in Costa Rica on 3 June.

Worldwide, four qualifying events remain: Gran Fondo Suisse in Switzerland 18 June, Niseko Classic in Japan 18 June, Granfondo Coimbra Region in Portugal 18 June and Gran Fondo Isle of Man in Great Britain 23 July.

Riders finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category at a Gran Fondo World Series event qualify to participate in the world championships starting 4 August in Scotland.

Photo Credit: UCI GFWS

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