Gran Fondo National Series Adds Malibu GRANFONDO as its Opening Event

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 8, 2018) –  The Gran Fondo National Series (GNFS), a U.S. staple in the Gran Fondo format covering some of the most beautiful and challenging roads in the country, today announced the addition of the Malibu GRANFONDO as its first event in 2018. The premium two-day cycling competition, created by Serious Cycling, takes place March 3-4, 2018.

The inclusion of the Malibu GRANFONDO follows the recent announcement of a strategic partnership between GFNS and Haute Route, the most prestigious multi-day event series for amateur cycling worldwide, to continue to grow the sport in the United States. The GFNS now includes 12 events, nearly double the series’ total of seven last year, and will include approximately 7,000 riders, up from 2,200 in 2017.

“The addition of a premium event like the Malibu GRANFONDO to the GFNS calendar will enable us to reach even more cyclists and we’re thrilled to launch our expanded event series on the west coast,” said GFNS Series Director Reuben Kline. “We look forward to working with our partners at Haute Route to continue to grow amateur cycling opportunities in the U.S.”

The Malibu GRANFONDO, “America’s Five Star Gran Fondo”, offers a unique two-day experience through some of Southern California’s best riding with beautiful and diverse landscape, traversing rolling terrain, agricultural farmland, scenic coastline, and an epic climb to a summit finish in the Santa Monica Mountains.  Day two is a 20-kilometer point to point “race of truth” time trial on the Pacific Coast Highway.

"We started the Malibu GRANFONDO five years ago as a way to show off the world-class cycling just miles north of Santa Monica. Joining the larger platform of GFNS is an exciting opportunity to host serious cyclists we might not otherwise reach,” said President of Serious Cycling Scott M. Johnson.

Full GFNS Calendar 2018

March 3-4 – Malibu GRANFONDO (Malibu, California)
March 24-25 – Gran Fondo Florida (San Antonio, Florida)
May 5-6 – Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo (Helen, Georgia)
June 2 – Fast Freddie Challenge (Sebastopol, CA)
June 3 – Highlands Gran Fondo (Butler, New Jersey)
July 22 – Gran Fondo Asheville (Asheville, North Carolina)
August 5 – Bluewater International Gran Fondo (Sarnia, Ontario)
August 4 – Tour de Big Bear/HC Gran Fondo (Big Bear Lake, California)
August 4-5 – Boone Gran Fondo (Boone, North Carolina)
August 16-19 –  Vermont Challenge (Manchester, Vermont; Stratton, Vermont)
August 26 – Golden Gran Fondo (Golden, Colorado)
September 23 – Gran Fondo Maryland (Frederick, Maryland)

To register or for more information, go to granfondonationalseries.com.

About the Gran Fondo National Series (GFNS)

The Gran Fondo National Series (GFNS) was established in 2012 as the Gran Fondo National Championship Series by Reuben Kline who has more than 25 years of experience in the cycling industry, including five years as a professional mountain bike racer, 13 years as a full-time race director, and over 22 years as promoter of the Michaux Endurance Series. GFNS is comprised of 12 European-style rides staged across the United States and Canada. Part personal challenge, part serious competition, the GFNS leads riders through country roads with challenging climbs and incredible scenery on some of the most beautiful courses in North America. For more information, or to register for an event, go to granfondonationalseries.com.

About Serious Cycling

Serious Cycling is a premier cycling brand located in Southern California.  Founded in 2008 with the mission to grow the love of cycling, we organize weekly shop rides, bicycle rodeos, training camps, USA Cycling sanctioned races and our annual marquee event, the Malibu GRANFONDO.  Our daily work in the local community has safely put thousands of riders on bikes and produced a race club competing at every level on the road, dirt and track.  Visit us at two full-service store locations, affectionately referred to as Club Houses, or online at seriouscycling.com to learn more.