Aspen-Snowmass hosted the inaugural event of the Gran Fondo Italia series

Snowmass Village, Colorado played host to the 2014 Gran Fondo Italia international cycling event August 10, 2014.  The popular cycling series kicked off the 2014 American tour in Snowmass Village with a roster of over300 cyclists including Olympic gold medalist Alexi Grewal.  He was joined by former pro mountain biker and brother Rishi Grewal. Adding his talents off the bike in organizing a world-class event was event director Nat Ross, 4 time world champion and mountain bike Hall of Famer. Cyclists from Italy, France, UK, Scotland, Mexico, Puerto Rice, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Brazil participated along with riders from across the US.  As the continuation of the first cycling series joining recreational cycling and the Italian lifestyle, the Gran Fondo Italia Aspen-Snowmass ride showcased the excellence of Italian wine, food and culture.  The event, modeled after the incredibly popular Gran Fondo cycling event format that originated in Italy, included some of the most famous road cycling destinations in the United States, including 99 and 45 mile course options and a spectacular “Gran PremiodellaMontagna” hill climb challenge to the finish. 



Festivities commenced with a Saturday Expo and a Gala reception at the Viceroy Hotel in Snowmass, followed by  the Sunday mass start in Snowmass Village, complete with an official Italian style start celebration, lead-out and police escort. Cyclists then experienced the new “world series of cycling” touring Colorado classics like Owl Creek, Castle Creek, McLain Flats,  and Frying Pan before heading up Brush Creek  to the finish line in Snowmass Village.  The courses provided a beautiful cycling terrain complete with stunning mountain views, miles of riverside riding and picturesque farmland.

Cyclists and guests enjoyed a post-event celebration at Base Village Plaza with top Italian products from sponsors Colnago, fi’zi:k, KASK, Pissei and wine from Tuscany’s Ciacci Piccolomini d'Ara gona.  The spirit and passion of Italy, iconic Italian brands and products, and incredible destinations are all part of the experience with Gran Fondo Italia events. 



The Gran Fondo Italia Aspen-Snowmass “King and Queen of the Mountain” winners: Jeff Hartmanfrom from Boulder (Colorado), and Rachel Hadley, from Aspen (Colorado).Ten age group awards  for men and women were presented at the event, worth several thousands dollars including a skiing vacation package in Snowmass Village. Riders  were eligible for the raffle for the best bike in the world, the Colnago C60:this special prize, the first of five to be awarded at Gran Fondo Italia events, was awarded to Stacy Barnett, from Atlanta, who will be also riding the Gran Fondo Italia in Atlanta-Roswell. The Aspen High School mountain biking club was the charity beneficiary of the event.

“The Gran Fondo Italia in Snowmass Village has been an incredible event for our organization,” said Matteo Gerevini, CEO of Gran Fondo Italia. “We’re proud to showcase the Italian heritage of this unique event, while promoting this amazing destination to cyclists throughout the world.” 

“Snowmass is an incredible destination for all cyclists worldwide – said Dave Elkann of Snowmass Tourism – and an annual Gran Fondo Italia event represents the perfect platform for our goal of expanding great events for cyclists in Snowmass”.

Next stop for Gran Fondo Italia is Beverly Hills on September 28 with a spectacular start on the world famous Rodeo Drive.

To review photos from the Gran Fondo ItaliaAspen-Snowmass ride, visit: http://thegranfondoitalia.com .