Register Now for the 2023 UCI Skoda Cyprus Gran Fondo
3 day stage race takes place March 31st – April 2nd 2023. Your chance to qualify for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland in August
Cyprus’s premier road race returns once again to the cycle friendly, warm and sunny coastal city of Paphos for the ninth consecutive year handing out qualifications entries to the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.
The UCI Cyprus Gran Fondo powered by Skoda is the largest international road cycling race in Cyprus taking place next spring March 31st – April 2nd, 2023. The event is designed to cater for passionate amateurs and semi-professional road riders from all over the world.
Spring in Cyprus is when Cyprus is at its best. A cool breeze, a bright, but not so hot sun, green grass and wild flowers - paradise!
It is an event where riders typically combine a week’s holiday or long weekend with the 3-day stage race which features a time trial on the Friday and two consecutive Granfondos on the Saturday and Sunday.
Next year’s race uses the same routes, which pass through Paphos’ villages and onto the coastline, with riders enjoying the contrast of the blue waters of the warm Mediterranean sea and the lush green mountains on the Island.
Organizer Mike Hadjioannou explains, “We are keeping courses relatively the same so that participants can measure their performance over the years to help them improve. Knowing the course in advance can make a difference in the final results.”
“There are more feed zones for the riders, and of course the traditional opening and closing ceremony that takes place at the medieval Paphos castle in the city’s port.”
2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
The Cyprus Gran Fondo is your opportunity to qualify for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland taking place August 3rd to 13th. The routes are yet be disclosed. Thousands of the world’s top cycling athletes will compete across the 13 UCI World Championships, with only a select few earning the title of UCI World Champion and the prestige of the rainbow jersey. With inclusivity at its core, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will also feature para-cycling and junior competitions.
The Gran Fondo Road Races are "tentatively" scheduled for Friday August 4th 2023 and the Individual Time Trials Monday August 7th, 2023.
EXPERT and SPORTIVE Categories
Participants of the race will fight for a place in the World Championships, they will be separated into different age/sex category groups (16,-18,19-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65-69, 70-74, 75+). Every age category provides a certain number of winning places for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. Riders will be also separated into two different race categories. The EXPERT category for experienced riders, and the SPORTIVE category for passionate amateurs.
Stage one on the first day of the stage race, the EXPERT category will give you the chance to qualify for the Individual Time Trial World Championships over a 20.6 km course with 240m of climbing. SPORTIVE participants will be riding a 54 km stage with a 41 km timed section and 780m of climbing, with no UCI qualification, however they are timed and included in the daily awards ceremony.
The following two days, stage 2 and 3, will give you two separate chances (on each stage) to qualify for the Road Race World Championships for both the EXPERT and SPORTIVE combined categories.
Stage two is 96 km long with 1,600m of climbing which includes a 1km rough asphalt section and thrilling cobblestone roads. Despite the uphill difficulty, the route rewards the cyclists with its scenic views and beautiful Cyprus nature in the wine villages of Pafos and Limassol as well as the wild landscape in Diarizos Valley. The long descents and flat sections require descending skills and some power left in the legs for the final kilometres.
Stage three is 54 km long with 1,435m of climbing. This stage will give stronger riders another chance to qualify for the Gran Fondo World Championships and will challenge everyone again.
Amateur cyclists finishing in the top 20% in their age/gender category will automatically qualified to attend the 2023 Gran Fondo World Championships. The winners of the slots will be announced on the UCI Gran Fondo World Series website and will be invited by e-mail.
Race Entry Packages
There are 2 different race entry packages for the Cyprus Gran Fondo 2023 participants - the RACE and the GOLD package.
RACE entry includes; Race Entry for all stages, UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Qualification, Bike and Bib numbers, Electronic Timing and Live Results, Digital Maps and GPX files, Technical assistance during the race, Medical assistance during the race, Feed stations with fruits, water and electrolytes, Route signage and safety, Opening ceremony pasta party, Lunch reception after last stage, Finisher’s medal, Goody bag, Commemorative T-shirt, Energy bars/gels and Sticker profile graphs.
Riders can optionally purchase the additional GOLD entry which includes; Mechanical support (on request after races), Event jersey, Cycling socks, massage sessions (on request after races).
Team Discounts and Classifications
There are team discounts for 8-12 riders with a 10% discount on the race entry fee and 13+ riders with a 15% discount on the race entry fee (until February 28th 2022).
There are 3 team classifications - Men, Women and Mixed team classifications. To be eligible, the team needs to be between 3-8 riders from the EXPERT group only.
Accommodation Packages
International riders will have the opportunity to soak up the mesmerizing Paphos beauty and enjoy their stay with a choice of luxury hotels around the city or experience a more traditional stay in one of the villages nearby.
You are only one click away to complete your experience in Cyprus with luxurious hotels, offering special rates for the Cyprus Gran Fondo event!
Have a look at the 5* and 4* hotel range offering the perfect combination of contemporary luxury and relaxing environment to spend with your cycling friends, companions, or family. All located close to the race venue!
Options include:
- Meals - breakfast and half-board meal options
- Flexible - room upgrades, extended stay, non-participants rates
- Bike room - safe bike storage room will be designated at each hotel
- Airport transfers - book your accommodation package with us and contact us for special airport transfer rates
Register NOW and SAVE!
For full information, please visit: www.activatecyprus.com
Register before February 28th, 2023 and save up to 150 Euros on registration fees.
You can click the button below to register now!
2023 UCI Skoda Cyprus Gran Fondo Photo Gallery
Prologue ITT
