Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic finale of the 2018 Gran Fondo World Tour ® Series

With over than 12,000 participants over 4 distances, the Durban event closed the Gran Fondo World Series after 9 months, 10 destinations and more than 12 countries

In the elite category races, it was Nolan Hoffman took his 7th consecutive title, while Carla Oberholzer, represented the best of South African elite category cyclists, repeated last year's victory with a top 10 position. Danielle van Graan won the women’s elite race in 5:09:08.

The new “Gran Fondo “ distance was introduced this year to South Africa premier event, was a challenging 160 km route, with an initial loop that later connected to the traditional 106 km route, to host the new “Gran Fondo” riders on the continent.

With the support of Tsogo Sun Hotels chain and Durban tourism authority, Amashova is the oldest mass participation event in Africa and completes the South African cycling calendar with the 106 km distance, where elite cyclists come from around the world, to the traditional opening season challenge. 

The final Gran Fondo World Tour ® winners (awaiting official results confirmation) at the the Tsogo Sun Amashova, are Louise Jugnickel (Germany) and Jonas Orset (Norway), the only one cyclists who completed 3 events in the world series during the year, finishing off at the South African event, to become “world tour” winners, with a first prize each of $10,000 USD, the largest amateur cycling cash prize in the world.

Photo: Jonas Orset (Norway) left and Louise Jugnickel (Germany) right with a first prize each of $10,000 USD!

In two weeks time, the full 2018 Gran Fondo World Tour ® series ranking will be available.

In the meantime “scouting” teams start expansion of the 2019 series, with presentation of the next year's series this December.

The 2018 series saw over 38,000 thousand participants listed on the final over 2018 series ranking.

2018 Gran Fondo World Tour ® Series

March

18 March, Portoroz Gran Fondo (Slovenia)
http://sportoroz.eu

24 March, Saddleback Springs Gran Fondo (USA)
http://www.renegaderaceseries.com/saddleback-spring-classic-gran-fondo

May

12 May, Giant Seorak Gran Fondo (South Korea)
http://www.granfondo.kr

20-21 May, Gran Fondo Kazakhstan Tour of Zhetysu (Kazakhstan)
http://www.granfondokazakhstan.com

June

9-10 June, Sport No Limit Travel Sea Other Europe (Spain)
http://cicloturista.seaottereurope.com/en/

16-17 June, Styrkeproven (Norway)
http://www.styrkeproven.no

16 Styrkeproven Peugeot Grand Prix Ladies Edition / Gran Fondo World Championship  ®
http://www.granfondoworldchampionship.com

July

13-15 July, La Trilogie de Mauriene (France)
http://www.challengecyclotour.com/trilogie-maurienne

August

5 August, Bluewater International Gran Fondo (Canada)
http://www.bigf.ca

September

16 September, Rollfast Gran Fondo (USA)
https://www.rollfast.us/rollfast-cycling/rollfast-gran-fondo

October

21 October, Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic (South Africa)
http://www.shova.co.za