2024 Gran Fondo Cyprus

Thursday 28th March 2024: Travel to Cyprus

Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel or meet us at Paphos Airport. We will run several airport transfers throughout the day. Please allow an hour from your flight landing time to your transfer time, to allow you to get through passport control and collect your luggage. The transfer takes approximately 15 – 30 minutes depending on traffic.

What about my bike?

You can bring your own bike as we have planned to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Alternatively, you can rent a bike with us for the weekend. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with fitting your rental bike or building your own bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.

Our Hotel

We are staying at Hotel XXXX. Our hotel is located within minutes of the start of both stages of the Cyprus Gran Fondo. The hotel is booked on a Half Board basis, with breakfasts and evening meals included. You will also have free access to the secure bike store.

Friday 29th March 2024 – Stage 1 and ITT

Breakfast is followed by Stage 1 for the Sportive riders and the ITT for the Expert riders. 

• 09:30 Start of Stage 1 for the SPORTIVE/ Start Area at Pafos Castle
• 11:00 Start of Stage 1 for the EXPERT*/ Start at Kouklia Village
• For the ITT the final start list will be announced the night before and riders must be present at the start line 15 min. before their starting time
• 18:00 Award ceremony for Stage 1 at Annabelle Ballroom, Annabelle Hotel

This afternoon you are free to enjoy the hotel’s facilities and we will have the evening meal together at the hotel.

Saturday 30th March 2024 - Stage 2

• 09:20 Start of Stage 2 for the EXPERT/ Start Area at Pafos Castle
• 09:25 Start of Stage 2 for the SPORTIVE/ Start Area at Pafos Castle
• 18:00 Award ceremony for Stage 2 at Annabelle Ballroom, Annabelle Hotel

Sunday 31st March 2024 - Stage 3

• 08:20 Start of Stage 3 for the EXPERT/ Start Area at Pafos Castle
• 08:25 Start of Stage 3 for the SPORTIVE/ Start Area at Pafos Castle
• 15:00 Light meal and award ceremony for Stage 3 and general classification at Pafos Castle (subject to change according to weather conditions)

All riders who qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships will receive a qualification medal at the award ceremony after each stage. All participants of the Cyprus Gran Fondo will receive a finisher’s medal at the finish line of Stage 3.

Monday 1st April 2024 – Departure

Throughout the day airport transfers are available in line with your flight departure time.

The event

The event will take during the last weekend of March 2024 and provides the perfect opportunity for recreational riders to qualify for the World Gran Fondo Championships held every year. All participants of Cyprus Gran Fondo will have the opportunity to earn their qualification in the Gran Fondo World Championship.

Starting every day next to the Mediterranean coast, you will climb some of the nicest mountains of the island and pass through traditional and rustic villages, enjoy the Cyprus weather and nature, before returning back to some of the best hotels in Paphos to enjoy your off-the-bike time!

Our idea is to bring passionate cyclists together, professional and amateurs riding shoulder to shoulder, to enjoy the amazing Cyprus nature and have fun in a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.

Qualification for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Aalborg

Each UGFWS event will grant participation rights for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. By the end of each race, the first 20% of athletes of each Age Category from a Combined Classification of the EXPERT and SPORTIVE Groups will be awarded guaranteed entry to the Gran Fondo World Championships and be able to race for the World Champion title.

The first day will give you the chance to qualify for the Individual Time Trial World Championships whereas the following two days will give you two separate chances (one in every stage) to qualify for the Road Race World Championships. Riders with UCI points are not eligible to qualify. 

On Stage 1, riders in the EXPERT group will have to compete in an Individual Time Trial and the first 20% of athletes of each age category will be qualified to the Individual Time Trial World Championships, whereas riders in the SPORTIVE group will race in a road race with no qualification. 

On Stages 2 and 3, the road race will be the same for the EXPERT and SPORTIVE Groups and by the end of each race, the first 20% athletes of each age category from a combined classification of the EXPERT and SPORTIVE groups will be qualified to the Road Race World Championships. So this give you two separate chances (one in every stage). Riders with UCI points are not eligible to qualify. 

The first three riders of each Age Category of the combined classification will always qualify directly for the World Championships, independent of the number of starters in that age group. Riders have to finish the race to be qualified. The 20% is calculated based on the number of starters, not on the number of finished riders. The winners of the slots will be announced on the UCI Gran Fondo World Series website and will be invited by e-mail. 

You can find all the information regarding the UGFWS Qualification regulations here: http://www.ucigranfondoworldseries.com/

TIMING CHIPS 

During race bag collection you will receive your individual timing chip. The details of a credit/debit card will be required as safety deposit for the chip. You will be responsible for returning it at the finish line of Stage 3 or sooner if you will take part only in Stages 1 and 2. In case the chip is not returned immediately after your race is finished, you are liable to a charge of €100 to your credit card

AGE CATEGORIES

• Junior Men/Women 16-18 yrs
• Men/Women 19-19 yrs
• Men/Women 30-34 yrs
• Men/Women 35-39 yrs
• Men/Women 40-44 yrs
• Men/Women 45-49 yrs
• Men/Women 50-54 yrs
• Men/Women 55-59 yrs
• Men/Women 60-64 yrs
• Men/Women 65-69 yrs
• Men/Women 70-74 yrs
• Men/Women 75+ yrs

TEAM CLASSIFICATIONS

There are 3 team classifications - MEN, WOMEN and MIXED Team Classification. To be eligible the team needs to be between 3-8 riders from the EXPERT Group only The Team Ranking is calculated based on the TOTAL TIME of the 3 stages (i.e. General Classification Time) of the top 3 riders of the team. 

• Rider A: Time of Stage 1 (ITT) + Time of Stage 2 + Time of Stage 3
• Rider B: Time of Stage 1 (ITT) + Time of Stage 2 + Time of Stage 3
• Rider C: Time of Stage 1 (ITT) + Time of Stage 2 + Time of Stage 3

In the mixed classification, the time of at least one man and one woman needs to be included in the calculation of the team's total time. If a member does not start or does not finish on of the stages, they are excluded from the general classification and therefore from the team classification.

SIGNING AND MARSHALLING 

The route will be signed and it is your obligation to know and follow the route. Signing of the courses will be marked by Arrows on the asphalt as well as signs posted on the side of the road will show the racecourse. Marshals will be available to guide the cyclists in key locations. Where there are no marshals, please follow the signs. Riding outside the route will result in a penalty. There will also be signs for the distance remaining to the Finish Line as follows: 50km, 40km, 30km, 20km,10km, 5km, 1km, 500m, 300m, 100m. 

MOTORBIKE MARSHALS 

The "MOTOLIFE Tours" team is supporting the tour for 6 years now. Riding along the cyclists with their Harley Davidsons noy only keeps a high level of safety for the cyclists, but also gives a different "color" to the race! Help them so they can help us have a safe race 

MEDICAL SUPPORT

An ambulance and doctor will follow the race. In case of emergency contact the organisers providing your name, your bib number and location (distance from start or name of nearby village).

NEUTRAL SERVICE

There will be neutral service along the race route in cars carrying spare tubes, pumps, and tools.

TRAFFIC RULES

In Cyprus traffic drives on the left. The entire bike course is open to ordinary traffic. There will be motorbikes, service/organisers cars as well as safety personnel to guide the athletes to follow the route. They will also ensure that the athletes follow all the traffic and race rules.The following violations may lead to time penalties and/or disqualification:

• Violating traffic regulations (the highway code)
• Obstructing traffic by not holding to the left side
• Dangerous driving
• Use of headsets or mobile phones while on the bike
• Drafting on a motor vehicle
• Passing the commissaire’s car without permission

ROAD SAFETY

The entire bike course is open to ordinary traffic. The traffic will be regulated by the police and marshals along the route. Riders are required to follow the traffic regulations during the warm-up and the race. Any guidance from the police and the marshals along the route simple provide ease of passage and greater safety for the riders and the drivers

ROAD RACE RULES

Types of Bicycle

Only road bikes allowed according to the UCI regulations, without handlebar extensions. There will be no limitations on the gear ratio for Junior Categories.

Support Cars & Personnel

Support cars will be allowed for riders in teams of six (6) riders or more in the EXPERT Group ONLY. The support cars must follow the rules and obey any indications by the race officials. Riders of teams with support cars that do not follow the rules will be penalized with time penalties. 

• Support vehicles must all the time be behind the commissaires’ car unless the commissaire allows any cars to pass!
• All support personnel must attend the race briefing on zoom (date and time TBA).
• The support team must be able to communicate with the race organisers in English or Greek
• The support vehicle must abide by traffic regulations and posted speed limits and never drive directly behind or in front of a cyclist, as this could cause dangerous situations
• All support cars must follow the instructions of the marshals to guide them to the car park before the finish line. No support car is allowed at the finish line. Support cars must exit the race route at the designated area before the finish line.
• Passing of riders who are competing must always be done following all safety measures and traffic rules.
• Support vehicles must be registered before the race at [email protected] stating the name of the driver, license plate and phone number. Support drivers must pick up their support car stickers during Race Number collection and stick one on the front and on the back windshield of their car. Never put yourself and others in danger for any reason!

Feeding Zones

There will be enough Feeding Zones along the race courses. They are set up in every stage and they are signed. They will also be mentioned in the maps of the event. At all feed zones there will be water to fill up your water bottles, fruits (bananas and oranges) and carbohydrates to put in your water.

Feeding and Technical Support

• Feeding can only be provided only near the designated feed zone areas. Feeding from the support car is strictly prohibited. Support cars must park the car safely and with all four wheels outside the road line and provide feeding to their athletes at the designated feed zones or near the feed zones, (100 meters before or after), at a location where there is clear visibility for the athletes and for other traffic passing from the route.
• We strongly recommend that personnel that will take care of the team’s feeding at the feeding stations, should use a different route that the race route. Overpassing the riders during the race to reach the feeding stations cannot be guaranteed. View the locations of the Feed Zones HERE
• There will be neutral service cars to provide technical support for the athletes (spare tubes, pump, and tools) or any other technical assistance that might be needed during the race. The personnel in the neutral service cars will try to fix a technical issue if it does not require that amount of time that will disturb the smooth supervision of the race
• Technical support is allowed on the entire route (except last 3km). Support cars that need to provide technical assistance must park the car safely and with all four wheels outside the road.

How to book

Please make your booking by clicking on the orange button at the top of the page. Please ensure that you select the correct room type for all members in your party plus all the required extras. When you book, we will require a deposit to confirm your place. 

Travel advice

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry Requirements’ section for Cyprus’s current entry restrictions and requirements.

Medical certificate

Please note you do not need a medical certificate to take part in the Gran Fondo Cyprus. 

Travel Insurance

For details of specialist sports travel insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. You must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in cycling events in Italy. Please remember to insure your bike for foreign travel.

Venue

What makes Cyprus such a great place for spring cycling? The road surfaces are as good as Mallorca but with almost no traffic. The terrain is mixed with long climbs, rolling hills and flat rides by the coast. And of course this is one of the warmest climates in Europe with temperatures in the low 20s from Feb and 325 sunny days per year. 

BY PLANE

Paphos Airport is well-served by international airlines. Rent a car at the airport or take our airport transfer.