New UCI-ranked Gran Fondo Ireland launched as Worlds qualification event

Irish riders, and cyclists from all over the world, will converge on Sligo next summer for the Gran Fondo Ireland, a major new UCI-graded event where riders can qualify for the Gran Fondo World Championships in Denmark

The new UCI Gran Fondo Ireland, which is a really welcome boost for leisure and competitive cyclists in Ireland.

The Gran Fondo or ‘Big Bike Ride’ is an established international cycling event, which is set to attract in excess of 3,000 cyclists – many of them from overseas – to the North West on the 29th and 30th of June 2024.

The Gran Fondo differs from other cycling tours in that it attracts both elite cyclists and keen amateurs and ‘weekend warriors’.

The people behind the new UCI-ranked Gran Fondo Ireland have said the event – for competitive and leisure cyclists alike – will have the look and feel of a major pro race like the Tour de France.

Michael Hurl, Gran Fondo Ireland director, said he was delighted the event was one of the official 25-30 Gran Fondos worldwide this year where riders can secure qualification for the Gran Fondo World Championships in Denmark. “This is a unique position where our event will be open to cyclists of a higher level and amateur level, or those who just want to participate in activity,” said Hurl, the senior events manager at Dublin-based Titan Experience.

It is the first event of its kind in Ireland to be included in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, which is made up of several similar events around the world. The first 25% of finishers in each age/gender category will qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Aalborg, Denmark next August.

There will be four events over the two days of competition:

A time-trial starting and finishing in Sligo town on Saturday, June 29th

Three distance cycles on Sunday – incorporating the Wild Atlantic Way – on Sunday, June 30th to cater for all cycling abilities.

There's 10% discount on Gran Fondo Entry for Early Bird Cycling Ireland Members.

Speaking after the launch, Cycling Ireland Sport and Operations Director Paul Watson said, "We are delighted to be in Sligo today for the official launch of the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo Ireland. This is a brilliant opportunity for all our members, especially our Leisure riders, and we are looking forward to seeing a big turnout for the UCI Gran Fondo Ireland this summer, to enjoy the challenge of Gran Fondo riding. We are delighted to be partnering with this event and to be able to offer our members an early bird discount on their entry" 

"Demand for places will be high, and with the total number of entry places available capped – we would recommend early entry to avoid disappointment.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.granfondoireland.ie or click the button below to register now.