November 12th, New York, USA
Gran Fondo Super Prestige: North America's biggest Gran Fondo challenge
Gran Fondo Super Prestige calendar launches in 2014 with eight listed events and offers a new challenge for cyclists.
New for 2014, Gran Fondo Super Prestige (GFSP) is a challenge established by GFNY Magazine that includes the premier and truly competitive long distance cycling events in North America. Riders have to complete the longest distance course at three out of the eight events to obtain Gran Fondo Super Prestige Finisher status for 2014. Women can complete the longest or the second-longest course at a Gran Fondo Super Prestige event to qualify for Gran Fondo Super Prestige Finisher status. GFSP is an independent entity that does not create any affiliation among the events.
"With Gran Fondo Super Prestige, we're emulating the highly successful Prestigio series of our Italian sister magazine Bicisport" says GFNY Magazine publisher Uli Fluhme. "I've followed the series since its inception in the 1990s and have participated in many Prestigio Gran Fondos. What I love about Prestigio is that it's not about winning a race which only a few riders will ever have a shot at. Instead, it's about completing some of the toughest Gran Fondos out there. That in itself provides a challenge not to be underestimated and keeps riders motivated to train all year."
A Gran Fondo is a marathon for cyclists. It’s an event where riders get a chance to take on a cycling challenge, like runners and triathletes have done for decades over long distances, without stopping at stop signs or traffic lights while having a chance to do their best. Events in the Gran Fondo Super Prestige calendar are following the concept of a true Gran Fondo and its three key elements: police giving cyclists the right of way at every intersection, individual chip timing and rankings based on time and a tough course. In addition, all events listed on the GFSP calendar meet a size requirement to be considered "Super Prestige."
The achievement of Gran Fondo Super Prestige Finishers will be recognized with a GFSP badge and sticker as well as lifetime bragging rights. Riders will be recognized in the GFNY Magazine. Every cyclists who finishes an event on the GFSP 2014 calendar is automatically part of GFSP and is in the running to be a Gran Fondo Super Prestige 2014 Finisher.
Further Details
New for 2014, Gran Fondo Super Prestige (GFSP) is a series of the most important, true competitive long distance cycling events in North America.
The series was established by GFNY Mag to provide riders a new challenge and highlight the premier North American Gran Fondos.
Your challenge:
Complete the longest distance course at three out of seven participating events to obtain Gran Fondo Super Prestige status for 2014. Women can complete the second-longest course at a Gran Fondo Super Prestige event to qualify for Gran Fondo Super Prestige Finisher status.
GFSP events provide the following:
- road closures or police moderated intersections along the entire route to give riders the right of way,
- individual chip timing and competition based on time,
- at least 500 participants in the long distance, and at least 1000 between the long distance and second-longest distance and
- a challenging course (both in length and cumulative climbing).
Gran Fondo is a marathon for cyclists. It is not a “big ride” and it doesn’t mean you listen to the Italian anthem at the start line. It’s an event where you get a chance to take on a cycling challenge, like runners and triathletes have done for decades over long distances, without stopping at stop signs or traffic lights.
2014 Gran Fondo Super Prestige Calendar
May 18th 2014 - Campagnolo Gran Fondo New York, New York, USA
July 13th 2014 - Gran Fondo Axel Merckx, Penticton, Canada
23rd August 2014 - Gran Fondo Banff, Banff, Canada
6th September 2014 - Gran Fondo Whistler, Vancouver, Canada
13th September 2014 - Gran Fondo Niagara Falls, Canada
21st September 2014 - GFNY Italia, Italy (more details shortly)
25th October 2014 - Gran Fondo Hincapie, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
Plus on other event TBA likely to be in Ontario, Canada.
FAQ
How do I register for GFSP?
Sign up for the GFSP events you want to do on their respective websites and you are automatically in the run for GFSP. There is no separate GFSP registration. Some of the events sell out so make sure you register early.
What’s the reason for Gran Fondo Super Prestige?
GFSP provides cyclists in North America a new challenge. The series follows the success of the Italian “Prestigio” series put on by Cicloturismo magazine. In Italy, thousands of riders aim to become “Prestigioso” but only a few hundred achieve to complete seven out of ten Gran Fondos. A select few even do all ten races.
In Italy you need to do seven out of ten Gran Fondos. Why only three out of nine for GFSP?
Travel distances in North America are much greater.
How did you choose the GFSP 14 events?
Right now, these events are simply the only Gran Fondos in North America of a certain size that truly stand for what Gran Fondo in the Italian tradition is all about: road closures or police moderated intersections to give riders the right of way, individual chip timing with ranking and a challenging course. All other so-called “Gran Fondos” are rides in open traffic and/or not timed and/or too small.
Will there be other Gran Fondos included in future GFSPs?
GFSP consists of the largest true Gran Fondos in North America. Existing events may become true Gran Fondos or new Gran Fondos will be held that will make the cut for GFSP.
Why is GFNY Italia included?
Each year, GFSP may include one or two Gran Fondos outside the US and Canada to give riders the chance to experience an event abroad and still be in the run for GFSP.
If a Gran Fondo has several distances, which ones count for GFSP?
Only the longest distance counts towards GFSP. However, we want to help grow women’s participation in cycling. Hence, for women the second longest distance counts towards GFSP as well.
For even more details, please visit the GFSP Official website at : www.granfondosp.com
Stage 2 to Les Marécottes
