Mitre 10 MEGA Gran Fondo Cycle Challenge
SATURDAY 26TH JANUARY 2013
As well as the new route and name of the event, we will launch for the first time the Mitre 10 Mega “Gran Fondo” fun ride open to everyone over the age of 15 years of age, the event takes place on the same day as riders in the international tour will ride the same stage.
WHAT IS A GRAN FONDO ANYWAY?
Take a scenic, mountainous course and add several hundred cyclists ranging from pros to eighty-year-old cycle tourists. Mix in roving and fixed mechanical and medical support, feed zones manned by cheerful volunteers and traffic halted at intersections to let you pass. Garnish with enthusiastic and supportive spectators lining the course.
Top it off with coverage by major cycling magazines. Energy, excitement, atmosphere!-- this is gran fondo, a phenomenon that has taken Italy by storm. Gran fondo means long distance or great endurance.
Some cyclists ride for the satisfaction and pride of just making it to the finish line. Others want to improve upon their previous times, and to challenge themselves, their friends, their teammates. And some ride to win! Regardless, every Gran Fondo event is an unforgettable cycling experience!
Every Gran Fondo takes place in conjunction with a major international cycle tour, cycling fans are given the opportunity to complete one of the stages that pro riders will do during the tour. If you'd like to know what it's like to race a stage of the men’s international cycle classic and feel like a pro, here's your chance, for this is as close as it gets!
ENTER HERE
The Event
The Mitre 10 MEGA Gran Fondo will take place in the morning of stage five in the 2013 Men's Tour of manawatu on Saturday 26 January 2013 and is ideal for individuals or social, corporate and sporting teams looking for a ride with a difference.
It’s the first opportunity ever in New Zealand to ride a stage of a UCI Men's Tour the same day as the Pro Teams. It's a challenge - not a race, this event is for everyone who loves to ride bikes and want to do a stage of the international tour or part of it. The challenge is open to everyone over 15 years of age entering as individual or teams.
Starts getting your team organized and take on the challenge - will you make it to the finish before the professionals arrive?
Event date: Saturday 26 January 2013
Registration: at Mitro 10, Friday 25 January 3.00pm to 6.00pm Mitre 10 MEGA - 250 - 270 Featherston Street, Palmerston North
Ssaturday 7.30 am to 8.30am at the start line.
Grand Fondo FAQ
Route/grades/distances
Mitre 10 MEGA Open 90km ride - Start time 9.00am
The Mitre 10 MEGA Gran Fondo will start and finish from Oxford St - Ashhurst. Riders will travel towards Colyton via Colyton Road, left onto Watershed Road, right onto Reid Lines East, right onto Taonui Road, right onto Colyton Road. Riders to complete two more laps of circuit
Unique Realty 60km ride – Start Time 9.15am
Same route as Open 100 ride but riders will complete only two laps of circuit
Sports Manawatu 30km ride – Start time 9.30am
Same route as Open 100 ride but riders will complete only one lap of circuit
Entry Fees:
- Mitre 10 MEGA Open 100km ride: Individual: $45 Team: $160 *
- Unique Realty 68km ride: Individual: $45 Team: $160 *
- Sports Manawatu 34km ride: Individual: $30 Team: $100 *
* Teams consist of four riders per team. All riders to complete the same distance - no relay event. The combine time of the first three riders will decide the winning team.
Route Map
Route Profile