22 Teams Battle for Victory at Gran Fondo Florida, p/b Capua Law

A record number of teams signed up for the SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series first event of the season in San Antonio, FL

After the huge success of the 2^nd annual E-Fondo Series by the SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series on the RGT platform, series organizers and sponsors were eager to welcome hundreds of cyclists to the first outdoor event of the 2022 season at Gran Fondo Florida, p/b Capua Law.

In addition to high overall attendance, this year’s event saw a huge increase in the number of team entries. A team consists of at least three riders and the standings are determined by the sum of a team's three fastest rider’s times for the Gran Route distance. Teams earn bonus seconds for each teammate who finishes the event, which means every rider counts.

Over 22 clubs fielded a team of at least 3 riders in the Gran Route. Kennedy Law Racing had 17 members participate. Maglia Nera Cycling had 15 members, 5 AM Cycling fielded 9 riders, Soul Race Team USA and Team Ravelo had 8 riders each, and Blue Wealth Management had 7 riders.

Although Gran Fondo Florida is often referred to as the “easiest” event of the SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series, that view is based on total elevation gain. The nonstop rolling hills make it arguably the hardest gran fondo in Florida, with riders regarding it as a challenging course.

Professional chip timing kept track of riders out on course and allowed riders to compete for the best combined time through up to 4 timed sections on route. Cyclists chose from 3 distances: the 36-mile Piccolo Fondo (1,131 feet climbing) with one timed section, the 55-mile Medio Fondo (1,852 feet climbing) with 2 timed sections and the 96-mile Gran Fondo (2,706 feet climbing) for 4 timed sections to suit all abilities. The timed section format has the added benefit of allowing riders to enjoy their chosen route, ride safely in the company of others and enjoy a bit of healthy competition.

At the finish line after 96 miles, it was Blue Bell Wealth Management p/b Cannondale who won the team competition with Lee Sobotkin, Brent Vollrath and Mark Detweiler working together throughout and crossing the finish line together. It was a close call, just 33s behind were Shott Performance, with Soul Race Team USA in third just over 4 minutes down.

Congrats to the winning team Blue Bell Wealth Management p/b Cannondale who were awarded with 3 comp entries good for another series event this season.

Photo: What a great day to kick off Soul Race USA 2022 Season! More to come!! Looking forward to the next event in Georgia April 16^th!

Overall in the Gran Fondo, Justin Jordan (Riverview FL) was fastest in the men’s category, with a combined time of 32m 58s. León Santamariain finished second, just 6 seconds behind, and Lee Sobotkin finished third, 18 seconds behind. Mikaela Martin (Souderton PA) was fastest in the women’s category with a combined time of 36m 27s, ahead of Eleonora Marquez in second, 15s behind and Indira Rad third at 28s behind.

In the 55-mile Medio Fondo, Tom Tokarcik (Kokomo IN) was fastest in the men’s category in a combined time of 13m 44s, ahead of Barry Guild and Caleb Hubbard. In the women’s category, Grace Plager (Naples, FL) was fastest in a combined time of 15m 2s ahead of Laurie Elmore and Madeleine Vergauwen.

In the 35-mile Piccolo Fondo, Andre Gracindo (Celebration FL) was fastest in the men’s category in a combined time of 7m 30s, ahead of Ivor Quilab and Steven Dehmlow. In the women’s category, Kim Snow (St. Petersburg FL) was fastest in a combined time of 8m 33s, ahead of Kelly Ezagury and Laura Cardona.

Big shout out to Jenny and Sang Yoon (Chain Reaction) who rode the 96mile Gran Route on a tandem!

Prize Raffle

The popular Gran Fondo National Series Raffle was after the podium awards. The Gran Fondo Florida raffle featured more than $5,000 of prizes from Series sponsors, including:

4-night Stay at Garda Bike Hotel in Italy
Stay & Ride with Movich Cycling in Colombia
Wahoo ELEMNT Rival GPS Watch
Wahoo KICKR smart trainer (model TBD) 
Lazer helmet
Industry Nine hubset
Cane Creek components 
Swiftwick socks
Bike Flights travel voucher
Shimano products
CTS Trainright Membership
Jittery Joe’s Coffee
UNDRBUDR anti-chafe cream
Ride with GPS Premium Membership

Movich Cycling Camp Winners:

In addition to being the fastest riders on the Gran Route, Justin Jordan and Mikaela Martin also won free entries to a Gran Fondo National Series Cycling Trip with Movich Cycling in Colombia from Oct 28 – Nov 6, 2022. 

All riders who earned podium placements (top 3) in any distance and any age group earned a 20% discount on any advertised 2022 Movich Cycling trip - including the Oct 28 - Nov 6, 2022 trip. And all Gran Fondo Florida participants earned a 10% discount on any Movich Cycling trip in 2022.

96 mile Gran Fondo Winners

Custom “Race Winner” cycling kits by SUAREZ cycling were awarded to all Gran Route age group category winners

55 mile Medio Fondo Winners

36 mile Piccolo Fondo Winners

Complete results, including age groups and all split times are available at: https://bit.ly/3D7chef

Next Up: The TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo!

Mark your calendar for this in-person event on April 16, 2022 in Helen, Georgia

Helen, Georgia - the start and finish town for the TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo - brings the charm of a Bavarian village to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy Alpine Bavarian food and drink as you explore historic timbered building and cobblestone walkways, surrounded by natural beauty, wineries, artisan tours, festivals, and much, much more.

With rolling farmland transitioning to mountainous terrain, the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, and a section of the Appalachian Trail, White County is an outdoor recreation paradise.

From 2003–2008, the Tour de Georgia attracted the world’s top professional cycling teams to Georgia for a premier 7-day stage race. The TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo retraces portions of stages from the race, through Helen, into the Unicoi State Park, and the nearby iconic climbs, made famous by the Tour de Georgia.

Register NOW to Secure a Place!

Registration is open - but you'll need to hurry to secure a place on this epic challenge across north Georgia's Appalachian Mountains

For more information, please visit: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-georgia

2022 Gran Fondo National Series Calendar

Starting in central Florida on March 20 with the Gran Fondo Florida and returning to California to finish the season with The Jensie Gran Fondo in the fall, the 2022 Gran Fondo National Series includes eight events:

At Partner Events, cyclists can earn points toward the season-long Gran Fondo National Series Championship point’s competition, as well as qualify for the official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event.

Registration is now open for all Series events!

Register Early For Guaranteed Entry

Multiple Gran Fondo National Series events sold out in 2021, so sign up now and secure your entry early! As an added bonus, you'll save money because entry fees increase closer to the events. 

Save more with 3-day Series Pass!

Register for any three 2022 Gran Fondo National Series events at the same time, and get the lowest-possible price on all three. Can also be used anytime during the season, even after single-entry prices have increased.

About the Gran Fondo National Series

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. GFNS is comprised of 9 European-style rides staged across the United States. 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.

The GFNS has successfully coordinated more than 75 Gran Fondo’s across the USA with over 25,000 participants.

For more information, or to register for an event, go to www.granfondonationalseries.com.