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

One thing is certain, not only will the competition by fierce, but so will the wind in a country known for hosting the famous Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships .

The 33.3 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 a bit and use your back (plus rear disc wheel) as a sail, rather than stay in full aero tuck.

Detailed Time Trial Map HERE.

Gran fondo and medio fondo road races on Sunday 1 September start/finish in Aalborg city center with lengths of 153 and 114 kilometers respectively. Although Denmark has no mountains, the routes are anything but flat. Many short, steep climbs dot both, with the medio fondo including 960 meters of elevation change and the gran fondo 1326. 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. Insider Tip: Head and cross-winds will likely 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 Gran Fondo Map HERE

Detailed Medio Fondo Map HERE

The Team Relay, now a UCI World Championship event, on Friday 30 August will be on a super fast ‘n flat 2.2 kilometer spectator friendly circuit along the Aalborg Habourfront. Expect thousands of Denmark’s cycling fanatics to line the route and cheer on teams from each country trying to win world championship rainbow jerseys.

Detailed Team Relay Map HERE

Photo Credit: stock; RWGPS

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