Santa Fe hosted GFNY North America Championship
Under perfect racing conditions, New Mexico rider, Fortunato Ferrera conquers GFNY Santa Fe, Tess Amer was the first lady across the line
NEW YORK CITY, June 27, 2019 – Fortunato Ferrera (RA Racing Apparel/BMC) lived up to expectations and soloed to victory at the inaugural GFNY Santa Fe last Sunday, June 23.
Photo: Credit SPORTOGRAF / GFNY LLC
An international field, including former World Champion Nelson Vails and Olympian David Lettieri, started from downtown Santa Fe’s historic Plaza. Crystal clear New Mexico skies and cool temperatures set the stage for a perfect day of racing. Closed or police moderated roads meant that riders could focus on racing the fully timed course and Be A Pro For A Day ®.
Within the first 5 miles of the 76-mile-long course route, Ferrera, Marcel Berger and Joseph Garcia (team Zia Velo) attacked and rode clear of a 35 rider pack. The trio quickly opened up a gap, covering the first hour at 28.6mph. The chasing pack struggled to form a cohesive offense to the trio led by Berger.
At mile 55, Ferrara’s group started the penultimate climb up to Ski Santa Fe. The trio now had a twenty-two-minute cushion on a pack of 19 riders that were now having their own battle to see who would take 4th.
At the base of the climb Ferrera dropped his breakaway companions, deciding to solo the final 15mile (3300ft ascent). His gamble paid off and he rolled across the finish line in 3:30:55 to take the GFNY North America Championship. Five minutes back, Joseph Garcia of El Paso, Texas took second in 3:35:29 and Marcel Berger of Las Cruces, New Mexico rounded out the podium in 3:44:39.
Tess Amer out of Boulder, Colorado was 22nd verall and took the women’s victory in in 4:20:25. Hilary Heskett of Tucson, Arizona came second in 4:23:17 and Tamatha Risner completed the top three in a time of 4:37:49.
Overall GFNY North America Champions Amer and Ferrera win flight and accommodation at the GFNY World Championship in NYC on May 17, 2020. All athletes finishing in the top 20% of the race, get to start at the World Championship in the qualifiers corral.
The inaugural GFNY Santa Fe results are here.
Next up is GFNY Costa Rica on July 7.
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