Organizers of the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships taking place 28 August – 1 September in Aalborg, Denmark have revealed course details for gran fondo, medio fondo and individual time trial events.

One thing is certain, there will be wind, lots of wind to battle. Wind is so persistent and prevalent in Denmark that it generates over 43% of the country’s total energy needs.

The 33 kilometer individual time trial competition takes place Thursday 29 August on a flat out-and-back counter clockwise route with only 133 meters of elevation gain. With Denmark almost always having westerly winds, time trial riders should expect headwind on the outbound leg and a tailwind push to the finish. The average wind speed in Aalborg in August/September is 22kph, but it is not uncommon to encounter gusts up to 35kph along the coast. Insider Tip: Practice training in windy conditions on a time trial bike. Also, note that with a strong return tailwind it might be faster to sit up and use your back (plus rear disc wheel) as a sail, rather than stay in full aero tuck.

Gran fondo and medio fondo road races on 1 September start/finish in Aalborg city center with lengths of 148 and 111 kilometers respectively. Although Denmark has no mountains, the routes are anything but flat. Many short, steep climbs dot both, with the medio fondo including 946 meters of elevation change and the gran fondo 1310. Both routes are perfect for puncheurs, riders who can accelerate quickly on short/steep climbs, and pure sprinters who can hang on until the finish. Grimpeurs, skinny lightweight pure climbers, might consider skipping the event. Insider Tip: Head and cross-winds will wreak havoc on fields, especially for the first 12km. Remember to stay up front where it is easier to conserve energy than fighting to hold a wheel in the gutter strung out at the end of an echelon. Also, races will likely come down to group sprints, with riders aggressively fighting for pack position in the last few cross-wind filled kilometers, be ready to throw an elbow if necessary to hold position.

Detailed Time Trial Map / GPS file
Detailed Gran Fondo Map / GPS file
Detailed Medio Fondo Map / GPS file

Photo Credit: stock; RWGPS

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