Leenknegt and Baiolet fastest at 7th edition of the UCI Schleck Gran Fondo
For the second year in a row, the event sold out quickly with more than 3000 riders at the start. Former pro Frank Schleck hosted the event on his training routes around Luxemburg, with 5-times Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault participating
The 153km Granfondo distance as official qualifier distance for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships with 2,144m of climbing, including 10 marked climbs, the last one with its top only 5km before the finish.
The shorter 83km Mediofondo had 1,094m of climbing and counted as qualifier for all women and men over 65. Amongst them, 5-times Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault.
In the men’s race, ex-pro Belgian Nicholas Baiolet defeated previous UCI Gran Fondo World Champion Austrian Stefan Kirchmair a the final sprint in a time of 3:27:15, with Kirchmair two seconds behind and Belgian Jonas Van Den Bossche third in a time of 3:28:43.
In the women's race, Belgian Celestine Leenknegt, won in a time of 4:01:52, with Belgian Tessa Van Der Velde second in a time of 4:10:00 and Luxembourger Zita Soons in third place in a time of 4:21:27.
In the 83km Mediofondo, Luxembourger Flavio Astolfi won in a time of 1:49:55, with Britain Jennifer Powell the fastest women in 1:58:54.
Over 3,000 competitors participated in the event, which sold-out in advance for the second year in a row.
Riders finishing in the top 25% of their UCI age/gender category automatically qualify to participate in the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships taking place in Denmark later this year.
Link to 2024 UCI Schleck Gran Fondo results: https://www.acn-timing.com/?lng=FR#/events/2158148051865816/ctx/20240525_schleck/cms/CAP