UCI Designates RBC GranFondo Whistler 2019 an Official UCI Gran Fondo World Series Event

2019 UCI Gran Fondo World Series event will take place on September 7, 2019 along the established RBC GranFondo Whistler course from Vancouver to Whistler

(VANCOUVER – 17.01.19) – In September 2018, the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Management Committee awarded the 2020 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships to Vancouver/Whistler at their meeting in Bergen, Norway.

In partnership with RBC GranFondo Whistler and hosting partners in Whistler, Sport Hosting Vancouver also submitted a bid to transform the highly successful annual RBC GranFondo Whistler into a UCI Gran Fondo World Series event in 2019. With the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships being held at RBC GranFondo Whistler 2020, World Series riders will compete to be in the top 20% of their age group and earn a qualifying spot to the World Championships the following year.

The RBC GranFondo Whistler takes place annually on the second weekend of September since 2010. This ride offers beautiful landscapes and a clear, traffic-free passage over the picturesque Lions Gate Bridge followed by a challenging climb to the mountain Resort of Whistler. The same events team has recently launched the RBC GranFondo Silicon Valley in California.

“The competition will take a step up in 2019 as athletes attempt to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in 2020. Not only will riders have an advantage by qualifying on the Championship course, but we’ll be bringing new event elements to RBC GranFondo Whistler, with more details to come soon. You can really start to feel the excitement building” said Neil McKinnon, founder and Chief Enthusiast of the RBC GranFondo Whistler.

 “As this will be the first time the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships will be hosted in North America, we are excited about the opportunity to market and promote the event to international cyclists who can travel to Vancouver in 2019 and 2020,” said Michelle Collens, Senior Manager, Sport Hosting Vancouver. “Additionally, Vancouver was recently recognized with the UCI Bike City Label for our efforts and accomplishments in creating an environment for active transportation and healthy living. We look forward to continuing to champion these efforts with RBC GranFondo Whistler for many years to come.”

The 2018 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships took place in Varese, Italy from August 29-September 2, 2018 and supported almost 3,000 riders at the event. The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships has seen a steady increase in participants since 2011. The previous 2017 World Championships in Albi, France saw most of its riders travel from the United Kingdom (30% cyclists), and Canada was represented by 2.3% of cyclists.

Due to the September timing of the event, the UCI Gran Fondo World Series event at RBC GranFondo Whistler was granted special dispensation by the UCI to be announced ahead of the rest of the World Series calendar, set to be unveiled in summer 2019.

The 2019 UCI Gran Fondo World Series at RBC GranFondo Whistler takes place on September 7, 2019. The 2020 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships take place on September 12, 2020. Both events will use the established course from Vancouver to Whistler.

About UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale)

Founded in 1900, in Paris (France), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms, for all people as a competitive sport, as a healthy recreational activity, as a means of transport, and also just for fun. 

About RBC GranFondo Whistler

Established following the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010, RBC GranFondo Whistler is an award-winning point-to-point cycling event between Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. On average, 4000 cyclists ride each year across different distance categories, both competitive and non-competitive. The event and title sponsor RBC - Royal Bank of Canada - has also contributed over $250,000 to charitable causes since inception. (https://rbcgranfondo.com/whistler).

World Series and World Championship landing page: https://www.rbcgranfondo.com/whistler/the-ride/the-road-to-2020

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. RBC’s success comes from the 81,000+ employees who bring their vision, values and strategy to life so they can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, RBC  has a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at https://www.rbc.com.

RBC are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/

About Sport Hosting Vancouver

Sport Hosting Vancouver is a partnership between the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association, Tourism Vancouver, the BC Pavilion Corporation (operating BC Place Stadium and the Convention Centre), the Pacific National Exhibition and the University of British Columbia. Sport Hosting Vancouver works to attract, develop, and support world-class sport events in Vancouver through great partnerships, enthusiastic guidance and an innovative approach. (https://www.sporthostingvancouver.ca)