After an end-of-year of pause, qualifying for the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships will resume in less than a month at the second edition of Granfondo Jordan on the edge of the Dead Sea.

Beginning Thursday 1 February time trial purists will race on an out-and-back 19 kilometer long closed course, each racing against the clock to try and secure a starting spot at the world championships by finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category. At the inaugural event last year over 100 riders participated, with former Russian pro Aidar Zakarin, brother of WorldTour pro Ilnur Zakarin, setting the best time at 25:27.

Next up two gran fondo road races will each affording riders the opportunity to qualify for the world championships by also finishing in the top 25% of their age/gender category.

Friday’s race is 74 kilometers in length with 1800 meters of climbing, including starting -300 meters below sea level and climbing to 850 meters above sea level. Qualifying on Saturday is not likely to be any easier. The race will use the same route, but run in reverse with a small extra loop, making the total length 81 kilometers. Last year wicked cold weather wreaked havoc at Saturdays race, forcing over half of the competitors to abandon or not start.

The 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships are scheduled to take place in Aalborg, Denmark beginning 29 August after holding 30 qualifying events around the world

UCI Gran Fondo Jordan race and registration information available HERE.

Photos: UCI Granfondo Jordan