Maryland to Celebrate 5th year of U.S. Gran Fondo National Championships Series Finale
Recognition for new Gran Fondo racing format and experience for U.S. cyclists - timed climbs, individual and team prizes for all abilities
Gran Fondo Maryland, Frederick, Sept 18th counts as the one day Giordana National Championship for Gran Fondo for racing in the U.S and it is also the final event of the series. The Gran Fondo National Championship in historic Frederick, Maryland is your opportunity to earn the title of fastest rider in the incredible Gran Fondo format. Gran Fondo Maryland offers some of the longest timed sections and most challenging terrain of any Gran Fondo!
The rider with the fastest combined time through each designated section will have truly earned their Gran Fondo National Championship Jersey!
The event raises funds for the Student Homeless Initiative Partner of Frederick County (SHIP).
The Gran Fondo is 98 miles with 9,181 feet, the Medio 63 miles with 5,765 feet and the Piccolo 29 miles with 2,386 feet of climbing to suit all abilities of riders. The Gran Fondo contains 4 timed climbs of Hamburg Hill, Harp Hill, Friend Creek and Gambrill Park 4 aid stations. The Medio contains the 2 timed climbs of Hamburg Hill and Gambrill Park and 3 aid stations. The Piccolo Fondo contains the timed climb of Hamburg Hill and an aid station afterwards.
The well designed, quiet and breathtakingly beautiful routes take riders on a scenic loop north through several different parks, forests and protected watersheds, touching the Pennsylvania state line before heading south into the Catoctin Mountain National Park, Frederick Watershed and Gambrill State Park.
As with all GFNCS events riders benefit from fully stocked aid stations and SAG support to keep them going and a Post-Race Food & Beverage Festival for a fun recovery.
Each rider is provided an electronic timing-chip to keep track of their progress throughout the course and to allow riders to compete for best time through highlighted sections of the course.
Here’s a preview of the timed sections that will be used to determine the overall men and women’s individual and team prizes which include:
Custom “Race Winner” jerseys for all Gran Fondo Route age group winners
Cash Purse and Prizes for Gran Fondo Route winners
Awards and Prizes for Medio and Piccolo winners
A normal racing license is NOT required for the Gran Fondo format
2015 Gran Fond National Championship Womens Overall top three
1st Cheryl Sornson
2nd Patty Fulton
3rd Christina Bax
2015 Gran Fond National Championship Mens Overall top three
1st Joe Hallman
2nd Gregg Galletta
3rd Scott Gray
Click here for the 2016 overall series standing as it moves into the last round in Maryland!
The Timed Climbs
Hamburg Hill
Out of Frederick heading north the first timed climb starts after 4.5 miles and is 5.7 miles long at an average gradient of 4%, climbing 1,233 feet.
The current fastest ascent is Ryan Knight from Bethesda, MD in a time of 23m 52s pushing a credible 327 watts. Elizabeth Ginexi from Silver Spring, MD is the fastest lady in a time 24m 30s
https://www.strava.com/segments/13153908
Harp Hill
After 16.5 miles of cycling you’ll start climbing up to the Highlands of Monroe, Harp Hill is 1.3 miles long and an average of 3% with 253 feet. It may be less than two miles long, but it will have some of the steepest consistent grades, the other side of Harp Hill was a KOM in the national classic Tour DuPont road race.
Fastest man currently is Gene Dare from Potomac, MD in a time of 4m 43s and fastest lady is Cheryl Sornson from Fairfield, PA in a time of 6m 7s.
https://www.strava.com/segments/13153925
The Gully of Darius
After 43 miles of cycling leaving Sabillasville, you'll start the long 5.5 mile section that climbs around 50 feet before descending down for 4.5 miles before the real climbing kicks in. Over half a mile you’ll climb over 500 feet at gradients of up to 15%. To put in a good time on this section you need to be able to descend well and attack the steepest part of the climb and stay within your threshold for the remaining grind upwards.
Fastest man is currently Thomas Dahbura 15m 20s and Lib Rood is the current fastest lady in a time of 24m 31s.
https://www.strava.com/segments/13193316
Gambrill Park
If there’s any doubt who the best KOM and QOM winners are at this point, the final climb up will decide it! It’s a long 11.3 miles climb into Gambrill State Park. Starting as you pass Hunting Creek Lake, the average is only 1% however it’s an undulating climb with some steep 20% gradients in the first couple of miles. After 4 miles it’s up and down and will be a real test for Gran Fondo riders.
Fastest man is currently Matthew Tebo 38m 23s and Laura Gordon is the current fastest lady in a time of 46m 38s.
https://www.strava.com/segments/13154018
GPS Routes and Downloads
https://www.strava.com/routes/6483639
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/11246254
2016 Giordana Gran Fondo National Championship Series® Events
The 2016 Gran Fondo National Championship Series® (GFNCS) schedule is set and registration is open for all 2016 GFNCS managed events. The 2016 GFNCS event schedule:
Gran Fondo Florida - Saturday March 26, 2016
Bicycling Spring Classic - Sunday April 24, 2016
Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo - Saturday May 14, 2016
Highlands Gran Fondo - Sunday June 5, 2016
Gran Fondo Asheville - Saturday June 18th, 2016
Boone Gran Fondo - Sunday August 7, 2016
Golden Gran Fondo - Sunday August 28, 2016
Gran Fondo Maryland (2016 Gran Fondo National Championship) - Sunday September 18, 2016
The Golden Gran Fondo was rated by Gran Fondo Guide as one of the hardest Gran Fondos in the US.
To register for a GFNCS event visit: www.gfncs.com
About the Giordana Gran Fondo National Championship Series®
The Giordana Gran Fondo National Championship Series® was established in 2012 and is comprised of eight European-style ride/races staged in the United States. The series is sponsored nationally by Giordana Cycling, GRUPPO STELVIO, Bertucci Performance Watches, Bicycling Magazine, Hammer Nutrition, Swiftwick, SeaSucker Vacuum Mount Bike Racks, Peaks Coaching Group, Feedback Sports, Rudy Project, ProGold Cycling, Jittery Joe’s Coffee, Polar Bottle, Ritchey Bicycle Components, and Capua Law Firm. Founder and President Reuben Kline has more than 25 years of experience in the bicycle industry, including five years as a professional mountain biker, ten years as a full-time race director and 20 years as promoter of the Michaux Endurance Series. The company is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area.
For more information visit www.gfncs.com
To discover the history of GFNCS on Gran Fondo Guide, please type "nationals" on our site search (top RHS).
Stage 1 - Le Perray-en-Yvelines
