Thornton-Brooks and Quintero fastest at 2024 Gran Fondo Asheville p/b Applewood Manor
Well over 600 cyclists attended, with a very competitive individual and team event! Dozens of special guests savoured the 3 day VIP experience, with guided rides, dinner, and a cookout at Applewood Manor with Italian Champion Filippo Pozzato!
Photo: Series director Rueben Kline (far left), Paul Capua, Italian ex-pro Filippo Pozzato (3rd right) ,and Garda Bike hotels top guide Davide Magon (far Right)
It was perfect weather in Asheville, NC for the 11th edition of the Gran Fondo Asheville, which attracted cyclists and cycling enthusiasts from all over the nation.
With temperatures reaching mid 80’s, clear skies and light winds made for a sublime day on the bike with participants working on their tans, going full gas on the timed segments, and making new friends in between. The Gran Fondo Asheville p/b Applewood Manor is one of the premier Asheville events of the summer.
Dozens of guests got to spend 3 incredible days with Italian super star cyclist Filippo Pozzato. “Pippo” is a legend of the sport winning the Italian National Road Race, Milan-San Remo, Tirreno-Adriatico, and stages of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia -- to name just a few of the big wins on his incredible achievements. Pippo turned pro at the tender age of 18 with the Mapei development squad. Garda Bike hotels top guide Davide Magon was also on hand. The pair looking forward to receive lots of participants at VENEtoGO Social Ride, scheduled for October 17th 2024 in the province of Vicenza during Pozzato’s RIDETHEDREAMLAND events in the Veneto region of Italy this fall.
Photo: VIP Experience at Applewood Manor
Starting and finishing at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville, all three routes featured steep and challenging climbs, quiet country roads, scenic views, and thrilling descents. They all featured staffed aid stations with a wide selection of food options and liquid refreshment to keep participants fuelled up throughout the ride.
In the 98 mile Gran Fondo, Carlos Julian Quintero, Delray Beach FL was fastest on the 4 timed sections in a combined time of 1:05:46. Jeff Case from Pelzer SC was second, 36s behind, with Andrew Knight from Marietta GA 39s behind in third place.
In the women’s Gran Fondo, Jennifer Thornton-Brooks from Boone NC successfully defended her 2023 title completing the timed sections in 1h 17m 49s, 4m 11s ahead of Carly George Tampa FL in second place and 10m 25s ahead of local rider Valentina Cummings in third place, who rode the Medio Fondo last year.
In the Gran Fondo Team Event, AROS CYCLING consisting of Felipe Aros from MIAMI FL, Oscar Stangoni from NORTH LAUDERDALE FL and Jean Palau from MIAMI FL were the fastest in a time of 3:28:34.07. GRAVELO were second, just 33s behind. With NORTH GEORGIA CYCLING ASSOCIATION were third some 50m behind.
In the Medio Fondo, Bennett Rose from Scarsdale NY was fastest and Amy Phillips from Chattanooga TN was fastest for the women.
In the Piccolo Fondo, Joshua Lavigne from Columbia SC was fastest and local cyclist Caroline Hatch was fastest for the women.
Custom SUAREZ Winner's kits were awarded to Gran Route Age-Group Winners.
After finishing a receiving their custom finishers medal, everyone enjoyed hanging out at the Bike Expo and Finish Line Party hosted at Rabbit Rabbit with great post ride food, local beer, and family-friendly activities for all ages.
After the ride, the Hammer Nutrition tent was very busy popular, as they handed out their delicious recovery shakes.
The podium awards were presented and more than $5,000 USD of prizes were given out to at the legendary prize raffle!
The Bike Expo, was a 2-day celebration of cycling that benefited Asheville on Bikes, a local non-profit that advocates for safe cycling infrastructure.
Just over 70 riders qualified for the 2024 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships, to be held during the Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, MD on September 15, 2024, by finishing on the podium or in the top 25% of their age category.
The USA Cycling GF Nationals are a qualifier event for the 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.
2024 Gran Fondo Asheville Results
Men’s Granfondo
1st Carlos Julian Quintero, Delray Beach FL 1:05:46
2nd Jeff Case Pelzer SC +0:36.45
3rd Andrew Knight Marietta GA+0:39.53
Women’s Granfondo
1st Jennifer Thornton-Brooks Boone NC 1:17:49
2nd Carly George Tampa FL +4:11
3rd Valentina Cummings Asheville NC+10:25
Men’s Medio Fondo
1st Bennett Rose Scarsdale NY 56:10.00
2nd Bastian Rose White Plains NY +0:36
3rd Brett Reagan New Orleans LA+1:59
Women’s Medio Fondo
1st Amy Phillips Chattanooga TN 58:46.85
2nd Lisa Houser New Orleans LA +0:20
3rd Regan Fink Asheville NC+3:56
Men’s Piccolo Fondo
1st Joshua Lavigne Columbia SC 10:06.11
2nd Ilya Boiko Williamsburg VA+0:53
3rd Kyle Kuykendall Fairview NC+1:11
Women’s Piccolo Fondo
1st Caroline Hatch Asheville NC11:20.55
2nd Nina Barroso Sugar Hill GA+1:57
3rd Tay Marraro Boone NC +2:11
Team Event
1st AROS CYCLING - Time after Bonus: 3:28:34.07
Felipe Aros MIAMI FL, Oscar Stangoni NORTH LAUDERDALE FL and Jean Palau MIAMI FL
2. Gravelo Workshop - Time after Bonus: 3:28:34.40
Ethan Burns ASHEVILLE NC, Abraham Close PISGAH FOREST NC and Pete Davis, ASHEVILLE NC
3. NORTH GEORGIA CYCLING ASSOCIATION Time after Bonus: 4:17:59.84
Andrew Knight MARIETTA GA, Todd Malefyt TYRONE GA and Carla Bates KENNESAW
Link to 2024 Gran Fondo Asheville: https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/asheville-2024-results
Next up is the Boone Gran Fondo!
On Sunday, August 4th, the SUAREZ Gran Fondo National Series will host the Boone Gran Fondo p/b Capua Law Firm, offering cyclists an opportunity to ride the cool mountain air of North Carolina’s High Country and experience Boone's unique downtown atmosphere.
Starting and finishing in charming downtown Boone, the Boone Gran Fondo features routes of 24, 57 and 94 miles over scenic, low-traffic roads through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Boone Gran Fondo will start and end at Capua Law Firm on South Depot Street in downtown Boone, where riders will enjoy a festive atmosphere with an Expo, food, drinks and music. All routes travel through the Blue Ridge Mountains showcasing the area’s natural beauty.
Riders of all abilities are welcome at the Boone Gran Fondo. Whether aiming for a personal best time or enjoying a leisurely ride through the countryside, the event offers something for everyone. Registration includes a *custom event jersey by SUAREZ, finisher medal, post-ride meal and beer, and fully stocked rest stops along the route.
Register NOW and SAVE!
Registration is open, but with just under a month to go you'll need to hurry to secure a place on this epic challenge across the High Country of North Carolina!
Prices go up on July 22nd, so register now and save!
For more information and to register for the Boone Gran Fondo, visit https://www.granfondonationalseries.com/gran-fondo-boone or click the button below to register now.
