Gran Fondo Florida, March 17, 2024 - FIND OUT MORE!
United States | Southeast | Virginia >> Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo selected as North America's 2017 UCI Gran Fondo World Series Qualifier

Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo selected as North America's 2017 UCI Gran Fondo World Series Qualifier

The Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo has been selected as the qualifier in the United States for the 2017 Union Cycliste Internationale Gran Fondo World Championship in Paris

Jacksonville, Alabama, October 16th - “We are absolutely thrilled,” said Brooke Nelson, Cheaha Challenge ride director, speaking to the press.

Nelson said she learned that UCI staff were impressed with the popularity of the Challenge among riders, safety of the race, community involvement and riders support groups.

“We already had several international riders. That’s always wonderful, but this will attract more attention from across the world,” Nelson said.

Nelson said ridership in the Challenge only stands to increase, and with that will come the need to adjust the number of race jerseys and food for rest stops, but that “it’s a great problem to have.”

Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo selected as North America's 2017 UCI Gran Fondo World Series Qualifier

One thing that won’t need to be adjusted is the more than 400 volunteers that help make the Challenge a success, Nelson said.

“And to have it here in Calhoun County,” Nelson said. “It thrills me to invite other people to come experience what I've known all my life. How beautiful Alabama is, and especially Calhoun County.”

Tom Nelson, president of the Northeast Alabama Bicycling Association, said that he was thrilled with the news.

“This is awesome. They’ve had qualifiers in around 15 countries in the world, but we haven't had one in the United States,” Nelson said.

UCI staff approached Challenge race organizers last spring, and bidding for the qualifying Gran Fondo ended in August. 

“It’s just going to bring our ride to a whole new level,” Nelson said. “Now we’ll be drawing from other countries...At some point it’s going to start bringing in European teams.”

Participants of the Century ride on May 21, 2017 will earn qualification to enter the World Championship if they place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in their age group or are in the top 25% of their age group.

Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo selected as North America's 2017 UCI Gran Fondo World Series Qualifier

 
Tag: ucigfws
 
Mar 14 2024 - NEWS: Lepoutre and de Vries fastest at the inaugural Millars Granfondo in Spain
Mar 06 2024 - NEWS: Moerman and Lourenco fastest at growing Granfondo Coimbra Region
Feb 27 2024 - NEWS: Orekhov and Baleisyte fastest at UCI Spinneys Dubai 92 Challenge
Feb 23 2024 - NEWS: Rafal Majka's Gran Fondo no longer qualifier for the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Feb 03 2024 - NEWS: New UCI-ranked Gran Fondo Ireland launched as Worlds qualification event
Feb 04 2024 - NEWS: Zein and Basim fastest at the 2nd edition of the UCI GranFondo Jordan 2024
Jan 31 2024 - NEWS: New race route revealed for the 2024 Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge
Jan 19 2024 - NEWS: 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Series bigger than ever before
Nov 13 2023 - NEWS: Registration opens for the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge
Oct 03 2023 - NEWS: VIDEO: Behind the scenes at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
Sep 14 2023 - NEWS: 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Demark reveals courses
Aug 08 2023 - NEWS: Israel-Premier Tech’s Sylvan Adams wins double World Titles in Scotland
Aug 08 2023 - NEWS: Vinokurov wins Gold Medal at 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Aug 08 2023 - NEWS: 2023 UCI Amateur Time Trial Champions crowned in Dundee, Scotland
Aug 05 2023 - NEWS: Sprints decide the winners of 2023 UCI Gran Fondo Champions in Scotland
Sep 15 2016 - RESULTS: Record 5,500 riders at 6th Edition of Amys Gran Fondo
Sep 04 2016 - RESULTS: 17 new UCI Gran Fondo World Champions in Australia
Jun 06 2016 - RESULTS: 8,000 cyclists take part in the UK Tour of Cambridgeshire UCI Gran Fondo
Mar 29 2024 - EVENT: Cyprus Gran Fondo
Mar 29 2024 - EVENT: UCI Cyprus Gran Fondo
Apr 14 2024 - EVENT: Tour de Brisbane
Apr 21 2024 - EVENT: Neusiedlersee Radmarathon
Apr 25 2024 - EVENT: 66 Degrés Sud
Apr 27 2024 - EVENT: La Bourgogne Cyclo
May 04 2024 - EVENT: La Lozérienne Cyclo
May 12 2024 - EVENT: 3RIDES Gran Fondo
May 19 2024 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Vosges
May 25 2024 - EVENT: Schleck Gran Fondo
May 26 2024 - EVENT: Hawaii Express 41 Tartu Rattaralli
Jun 01 2024 - EVENT: 0-2000 Cycling Challenge
Jun 07 2024 - EVENT: Maraton Franja BTC City
Jun 08 2024 - EVENT: Majka Gran Fondo
Jun 08 2024 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Svendborg