Cycling

Underberg Gran Fondo heeds calls for shorter route

Ahead of the much-anticipated second version of the Underberg Gran Fondo, organisers have heard calls from riders and included a shorter 45km choice for the 2023 occasion on Sunday, 30 June.

Gran Fondo provides 45km choice

2022’s inaugural version of the gravel basic was nicely obtained by riders throughout the board, and 2023 is gearing as much as be much more widespread because the occasion has joined the Gran Fondo World Tour Gravel Series and organisers have listened to solutions from riders that took half final 12 months.

“There has been a lot of interest already in this year’s race and we’ve only just opened the entries,” organiser Pierre Horn stated.

“After final 12 months’s race we had a couple of of the older riders requesting that we add a shorter distance so this 12 months we can have a 45km route that will likely be greater than doable for all riders.

“It’s going to be known as the Underberg Gran Fondo Tour de Farms, as a result of the route takes riders by way of the farming group which is thrilling, and we’re wanting ahead to creating the route public shortly.

“The new distance opens the event to so many more riders and the interest already suggests that it will be a popular distance.”

ALSO READ: UCI Swartberg 100 Gravel Fondo biking outcomes

Still catering to the hardcore

Gran Fondo World Tour Gravel Series calendar. Photo: Gameplan Media

The occasion already provides the lengthy 140km route, the 90km and now the brief 45km race and this 12 months the Underberg Gran Fondo has additionally been included on the Gran Fondo World Series.

“We’re the one Gran Fondo in South Africa that’s included on the Gravel World Series and we hope that possibly in 2024 we’ll get riders from abroad coming to tackle our race.

“The gravel driving self-discipline is certainly nonetheless rising as a result of it caters to so many alternative riders and it’s interesting for these MTB riders who don’t essentially like the one monitor or technical driving.

“Also, it takes the roadies off the busy main roads, and a bonus is that it you get some of the best views when you ride along the gravel,” Horn added.

The Southern Drakensberg supplies the perfect backdrop for a gravel race, however it has much more to supply.

“We wish to create a family-orientated occasion and there may be a lot to do in and round Underberg.

“From the museums to the incredible trails at the Sani Spoors; we are trying to cater to the whole family because Underberg is always a fantastic weekend away.”

Entries for the Underberg Gran Fondo are open, and you may enter right here https://underberggranfondo.co.za/how-to-enter/

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