The Everyman race in the Crete Senesi concluded a weekend that had previously seen the Professionals around Tadej Pogacar and Elise Chabbey on the white gravel roads of Tuscany. The amateurs took to the track at the Fortezza Medicea in Siena. Former pros Paolo Bettini, Maurizio Fondriest, Moreno Moser and Vincenzo Nibali were also there as spectators.
GF Strade Bianche through the Crete Senesi
The longer route covered 137.7 kilometres with 2000 metres of elevation gain and 10 gravel sections. The shorter variant covered 87 kilometres with 1350 metres of elevation gain and 6 gravel sections. Both routes started at the Fortezza Medicea and ended at the Piazza del Campo in Siena. The participants rode through the characteristic hilly landscape of the Crete Senesi, which is also known among professionals for its challenging white gravel roads.
Gran Fondo with international participation
Italy made up the largest proportion of starters with 65 per cent. Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain followed as the most represented nations. Luca Onofrio, Head of Mass Events at RCS Sports & Events, emphasised the connection between the professional race and the amateur event. The amateurs experienced the same atmosphere on the gravel roads just a few hours after the professionals. According to him, the cycling marathon is growing year on year and has established itself as an international centre of attraction for amateur cyclists.
Fast times even for amateurs
After just 3:46 hours, the winner of the amateur race over the 138 kilometres of the Gran Fondo was decided. The list of results also includes the name of ex-professional Taylor Phinney, who finished 46th in the long distance. The ranking list also reveals that many participants took seven to eight hours to complete the difficult route and the last participant crossed the finish line after more than 15 hours.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
