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Thousands of riders celebrate completing one of America's top Gran Fondo's

Over night rain didn’t dampen the spirits of thousands of riders, who lined up in Little Italy to tackle the 2016 Gran Fondo Campagnolo San Diego.

April 11th 2016 San Diego, CA - The ride was kicked-started by Sammuel from the Challenged Athletes Foundation, who sung the Star-Spangled Banner. Riders crossed the start line chute escorted by Ferrari’s onto fully closed roads out of the city - for a great day in the mountains.

Riders opted for either the tough 102 mile Gran Fondo, challenging 56 mile Medio Fondo, 34 mile Piccolo Fondo, and the 20 mile Fun Fondo.

The weekend started with an Expo on Saturday at the finish in Ruocco Park on the water front in San Diego’s Bay and in the evening there was a V.I.P dinner for all the top Challenged Athletes Foundation fundraisers, most of whom rode the Gran Fondo.

The 102 mile Gran Fondo included the KOM/QOM timed climb of Honey Springs Road. This well-known climb from Lower Otay Lake, was a 13 mile timed section, rated an HC2 (Haute Category) climb due to its difficulty. As the Sun came under a clear blue sky, riders enjoyed scenic views of Otay Lakes as a reward for all their efforts!

On May 15th San Diego hosts Stage 1 of the AMGEN Tour of California, with the King of the Mountains jersey awared on the same Honey Springs Road Climb.

Riders on all routes where cheered across the finish line chute in Ruocco Park, awarded their finishers medal and ushered to the bike valet and in to enjoy the fantastic finish line celebration with live music, a well-deserved massage and Italian cuisine -  to experience an authentic Italian Gran Fondo in one of America’s most bike friendly cities. San Diego consistently ranks amongst the top American cities for bicycle commuters and ridership. San Diego is also regulary nicknamed "America's Finest City". People flock to San Diego and are captivated by its amazing weather, laid back people, and abundance of activities.

To honor San Diego’s military heritage, the Campagnolo Gran Fondo San Diego charity ride benefits the Challenged Athletes Foundation Operation Rebound, which is the premier sports and fitness program for American military personnel, veterans and first responders with permanent physical disabilities. 

Sponsors of the eighth annual event included CampagnoloPrimal WearRudy Project and Sierra Nevada.  

Primal Wear, a leading custom apparel manufacturer in the bike industry, was back for its second year as sponsor and designer of the commemorative kit for the 2016 Campagnolo Gran Fondo San Diego.

Info Crank were this year’s presenting sponsor. InfoCrank from Verve Cycling is a new generation of cycle power meter that sets the standard for accuracy, usability, and robustness and sponsored a contest to see who could generate the most watts at the Expo.

Pulse Endurance donated a Pinarello Razha K for the Challenged Athletes Foundation's raffle amongst the other wealth of prizes that included a set of Campagnolo Zonda Wheels.

Results of the Honey Springs road climb KOM/QOM will be available shortly at sdgranfondo.com

For those who missed the opportunity to ride this year, there's still time to enter the 5th Annual Giro di San Diego, September 11th - girodisandiego.com

 

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