The United States Gran Fondo National Series and virtual training platform Zwift will hold a E-Fondo Series beginning 7 January that allows riders to qualify for the in-real-life 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships for free.

The eight event virtual points race series, using both Timed Segments and Start-to-Finish results from each event, will be held on Zwift as follows:

14:00 GMT 07 January Florida E-Fondo, 51.1km on The Big Ring

15:00 GMT 14 January Georgia E-Fondo, 38.4km on Three Little Sisters

15:00 GMT 21 January Cheaha E-Fondo, 45.2km on Knickerbocker

12:00 GMT 30 January Highlands E-Fondo, 47.1km on Muckle Yin

14:00 GMT 05 February Cache E-Fondo, 40.3km on Makuri 40

02:00 GMT 21 February Boone E-Fondo, 54.0km on Tempus Fugit

14:00 GMT 25 February Maryland E-Fondo, 52.4km on Zwift Bambino

Qualifying for the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships on 6 October in Maryland is as easy as 1-2-3. Riders must: 1) finish in the top 15% of their age/gender category within the e-Fondo Series Competition, OR 2) finish on the podium (top 3) of their age/gender category in any of the E-Fondos above OR 3) complete any four E-Fondo events in the series.

Events are open to all riders and are FREE to enter, but participants must have a Zwift account and register/signup on the Gran Fondo National Series website.

Note: The events are set up on Zwift so participants do not need a power meter and/or heart rate monitor to validate performance data for reasonability and accuracy.

Photos: GFNS