RESULTS: Another Boone-tastic GFNS Gran Fondo

The course rolled out of the cool college town of Boone nestled in the Western Carolina Appalachian Mountains. The scenery was unparalleled with grand vistas sometimes stretching 100 miles

With category and a team prizes on offer, riders battled it out on the timed climbs. Congratulations to everyone that completed a difficult and beautiful course at the Boone Gran Fondo 2017, and extra congratulations go out to the podium finishers and raffle winners.

Local team Drunken Dragon edged out favorites Next Moto Champion cycling p/b Roswell Bicycles with Team Maria competing the podium in the team category.

In the 100 mile Gran Fondo, Matt Zimmer from De Witt, IA was back again this year and was fastest overall combined time of 57m 36 secs ahead of Daniel Jeske from Marcellus NY and León Santamaria from Crossville TN.

For the women in the Gran Fondo it was Sue Neurath from Tucker GA in a time of 1h 17m 8secs followed by two riders neck and neck, Shannon Pasch from Chesapeake Beach MD F and Carolyn Altman from Statesboro GA.

In the 60 mile Medio Fondo, Richard Geldmeier from Boone NC was fastest ahead of John Macinnis from  Mt. Airy MD and Jeff Martin from Boone NC., while for the women Laurie Smith from Charlotte NC was fastest ahead of Kelly Buis from Midlothian VA and Julia Bryant from Decatur GA F

In the Piccolo Fondo, Brian Ulrich from Jefferson NC was fastest ahead of Kevin Sullivan from Ann Arbor MI and Russell Devita from Charlotte NC. For the women it was Cass Kobayashi from Richmond Hill ON ahead of Katherine Hall from Ellicott City MD and Andrea Dagostino from Goodlettsville TN.

Congrats everyone, for the full results and lists of all category winners, please visit: http://my2.raceresult.com/79388/results?lang=en#1_340594

For more great photos, please visit: https://jcaldphoto.smugmug.com/Boone-Gran-Fondo-2017/

The Golden Gran Fondo was rated by Gran Fondo Guide as one of the hardest Gran Fondos in the USA!