Ride the Wilmington Grand Prix’s 6th Annual Delaware Gran Fondo
The Brandywine Valley offers some of the best cycling terrain on the East Coast
The Delaware Gran Fondo will allow cyclists the rare privilege of passing through these attractions on the same ride. In 2016, riders from 15 states and three countries, including Australia and Canada, participated in Delaware's premier ride.
A Media Fondo (half-century course) is also offered. Same registration fee and benefits. You can decide day-of which distance you'd like to ride.
The Wilmington Grand Prix Gran Fondo is 100km (62 miles) long. The Media Fondo is 50km (31 miles) long.
Participants will receive a police escort to start and police support at key intersections. Rider welcome packet including a commemorative T-shirt, USA Cycling rider insurance, course marking, four aid stations, post-ride BBQ with craft beer, raffle prizes, bike valet service at festivities and more. Medals to all riders who complete the Gran Fondo. Two timed climbs for age-group prizes in Gran Fondo only.
Riders must be 16 or older to participate.
Start time: 6:30am registration; Ride begins @ 8am sharp
Ride begins and ends at Delaware Art Museum. Post-ride party in Delaware Art Museum Sculpture Garden.
RIDER PACKET PICKUP: Bibs and timing will be distributed at registration beginning 6:30am. Welcome packets will be distributed to riders at finish line after they have completed the course of their choice.
For more information and to register, please visit: http://wilmgrandprix.com/event/governors-ride-gran-fondo-2017
About the Wilmington Grand Prix
The Wilmington Grand Prix, one of the Premier Bike Races in the U.S., will celebrate its 10th anniversary May 19-21, 2017. For the 10th straight year, the Grand Prix will be part of USA Cycling’s National Race Calendar.
USA Cycling’s (USAC) National Racing Calendar is made up of the top bike races in America and features racers competing for the NRC point’s championship in team and individual categories. (A criterium is a bike race of a specified number of laps held on a closed course on public roads.)
“The Wilmington Grand Prix continues to be one of the premier criterium races in the nation,” said USA Cycling’s VP of National Events, Micah Rice. “Racers love the technical nature of the course and the enthusiastic crowds that greet them. We’re thrilled to feature the Wilmington Grand Prix on our National Calendar.”
“We are proud that the Grand Prix continues to be considered one of the elite races in the country,” said Chris Giacomucci, Executive Director of the Delaware Sports Commission. “This race is a showcase for the city of Wilmington and a signature event for the state of Delaware.”
The action starts Friday night (May 19) with the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2-mile race against the clock through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park. Saturday (May 20) will feature two amateur races in the morning, culminating with the Women’s Pro and Men’s Pro races in the afternoon. Sunday (May 21) will see the return of the Seventh Annual Governor’s Ride and the Sixth Annual Delaware Gran Fondo. Last year’s Gran Fondo attracted cyclists from 15 states (including Texas, Colorado and Florida) and three countries (including Australia and Canada) by offering them a scenic tour through the Brandywine Valley and some of Delaware’s most-prized cultural attractions.
“We have committed to making Delaware more bicycle-friendly because it’s an investment in improving our state’s quality of life and in providing opportunities for our people to be active,” said former Governor Jack Markell. “This event is a perfect way to highlight our efforts and a great opportunity to allow visitors to see all that Wilmington has to offer.”
Since 2012, the Wilmington Grand Prix generated more than $3 million in economic impact for the local economy.
For more information on the Wilmington Gran Prix, please visit: http://wilmgrandprix.com
