UCI Gran Fondo World Series
Here’s your road to the world championships
In 2020, you can race in a cycling world championships here in Canada. The uci Gran Fondo World Series, which is essentially the amateur road world championships, will culminate with the rbc Granfondo Whistler. On Sept. 12, 2020, riders from around the world will head from Vancouver to Whistler, B.C., trying to win the rainbow jerseys in their age categories. You, Canadians, actually have a pretty good home-court advantage for these championships.
You see, the uci Gran Fondo World Series runs roughly from September to September. The 2019 season ends following this year’s world championships in Poznań, Poland, from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1. The next weekend, the Granfondo Whistler will be the first qualifying event for the 2020 championships. Got that? Ride the
2019 GF Whistler to qualify for the 2020 GF Whistler. Because the 2020 event is the world champs, wouldbe participants have to ride a Gran Fondo World Series event and place in the top 25 per cent of their categories. If you want to do a qualifier in Canada, you have two choices: the Blue Mountains Gran Fondo in Ontario or Whistler in B.C. And, what could be better practice for 2020 than riding Whistler this year?
Owner, founder and self-proclaimed chief enthusiast Neil Mckinnon of the Granfondo Whistler knows a lot about preparation for a big event. For years, his fondo, which runs for the 10th time this year, has been holding pre-gran fondo rides and sessions aimed at getting riders ready. Those events don’t seem like hard work. There’s the Bici Gusti gourmet rides, short spins that start and end at hotels that also feature good food. Bici Gusti events are designed for the whole family. There are Prima Fondos that are based out of breweries. Finally, there are clinics for beginner and intermediate participants, as well as a women-only clinic. “We want to create an experience that takes down the intimidation level that is rampant in cycling,” says Mckinnon. “We ask, ‘How would we like to feel included?’” To bring more riders into the event, the Granfond Whistler has opened up the medio fondo, 55 km, to ebikes. Riders who have pedal assist won’t have chip timing, but can enjoy the same roads as other fondo participants. If you think the Vancouver to Whistler route might have too much elevation gain for you, about 1,900 m, Mckinnon
“To bring more riders into the event, the organization has opened up the medio fondo, 55 km, to ebikes”
notes that it’s not really a course for the mountain goats. “There’s nothing more than an eight per cent grade,” he says. “It’s consistent climbing particularly when you pass through Squamish. I’d classify it more as a power course than I would a climber’s course. If people are fit, anybody could do well on any given day.”