2021 UCI Cyprus and Greece Gran Fondos delayed due to COVID

Cyprus Granfondo will be held on the weekend of 23-25 April 2021 while Aristoteles Chalkidiki Granfondo in Greece will become the final qualifier event of the season on 27-29 August 2021. It will take place one week before Worlds who will be held in nearby Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The date of the Skoda Cyprus Gran Fondo, the part of the UCI Gran Fondo World series which attracts hundreds of amateur and semi-professional cyclists from more than 30 countries, is being moved by four weeks. Instead of March 26-28, 2021, the race will take place from April 23 to 25, based at Paphos.

Despite the change of date, the event remains the first European round of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series for 2021 but also the first in Gran Fondo which is taking place in Europe after one year.

The Skoda Cyprus Gran Fondo is a qualifier for the Gran Fondo World Championships which will be held in Bosnia & Herzegovina in September. The race consists of three days and three different stages with a total length of 245.5km.

In the light of changing nature of public health policies across Europe Activate Cyprus has taken the decision to move the date taking into consideration three serious factors that affect the smooth organizing of the event:

a) the epidemiological picture of Cyprus which is predicted to improve significantly, but after the first quarter of 2021.

b) the lift of travel bans for people from 56 countries decided last month by the Cyprus Government, which will start gradually from 15th January 2021 and take full effect from 1st March 2021. This means that those arriving from 56 countries will not be required to remain in self-isolation for 14 days.

c) The airflights to Cyprus from all over Europe during April are significantly increased compared to March.

Mike Hadjioannou, event organiser, said,"Our top priority is always the health and safety of everyone involved in our events especially the cyclists. That's way we have moved our event four weeks later. We feel by then the measures in place will be more relaxed and people will feel more safe to travel".

The event will be organised in compliance to the protocols and instructions of both the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus and UCI which will be in force at the moment. Competitors who had secured a place for the 2020 Skoda Cyprus Gran Fondo and choose to transfer the registration to the next event, will take part without any charge. For new registrants there is 100% refund in case of cancellation up to two weeks before the start.

Organizers of the Aristoteles – Chalkidiki Gran Fondo stated "to the serious “side effects” and insecurity that Covid 19 pandemic has caused in relation to 2021 sport events, the organizing company of Aristoteles – Chalkidiki Gran Fondo decided to proceed to a full refund in case of non-participation in the event or allow the transfer of the registration cost to the 2022 event."

The 2021 UCI Gran Fondo and Time Trial World Championships will take place in Banja Luka (Bosnia-Herzegovina) from 1st to 5th September 2021. Participants can look forward to a 22 km flat time trial in the city centre, a team relay and a 155 km Gran Fondo or 96 km Medio Fondo, both of which will take place on hilly roads.