Gran Fondo competitions are unique. This world-famous series of road cycling races brings together professionals and cycling enthusiasts on one track. The format itself originated 40 years ago in Italy, but over time, cycling with a serious sports component conquered the tracks of all continents.

Russia takes the stage of the competition for the fourth time, but Moscow for the first time noted its participation in the marathon. And she immediately accepted the qualifying round at a sports facility of international level.

The Olympic track in Krylatskoye is famous for its difficult ups and downs, which will make any cyclist pretty sweat. However, these difficulties did not stop numerous participants - to show themselves in the 17-kilometer race of the UCI Time Trial expressed the desire of over 200 people.

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Publication from dolphik (@dolphik) July 15, 2019 at 10:48 PDT

Most of the participants came to the track for the first time, however, some admitted that they regularly use it in their workouts and know where to work properly to show a good result. About this, RT told one of the participants of the arrival, Maria Petrova, who took second place in her age category.

“I spend most of my post office life here. In general, I enjoy mountain biking, and this is the second road race in which I decided to take part, and only because I know the track well. And I don’t regret it at all! ”- noted the cycling fan.

According to the competition regulations, cyclists started separately from each other with an interval of 30 seconds. The honor to open the race fell to the oldest participant among women, 56-year-old Maria Lantsova. After the finish, the former athlete, who in recent years has seriously taken a great interest in cycling, shared her emotions about the passage of the track.

“I was a little afraid and worried about overcoming the ups. Of course, I was overtaken by young girls, but I am still happy with my result. With a one-hour time limit I drove the 49:08 race, and this is a very good time for me, ”Maria told the RT correspondent.

Participation in such races for many has long been a familiar way of life. For example, the former professional athlete Nikolai Klimov, who replaced the treadmill with a bicycle track, before the track in Krylatskoye had time to celebrate with success at the international stages.

“I once participated in the Gran Fondo competitions in Cyprus and even got prizes. I hope that I will get more, however, not this time. Curiosity happened. I finished early, not having reached one lap of three. I pointed this out when I already drove into town. I had to go back to the track to finish the job. But I am still satisfied with the result. For a person who has been engaged in cycling for four years, I have a good time - 29:59, ”said Nikolay.

In total, 220 people reached the finish line safely, each of whom received a participant’s commemorative medal, and the winners in their age groups received valuable gifts from partners and race sponsors. The best time among men was shown by Sergey Trubetskoy (25:48), among women - Marina Osipova (31:17).

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Publication from Your Great Bike Ride (@granfondoru) July 13, 2019 at 9:12 PDT

After Krylatskoye, a great cycling weekend continued on a large scale in Volokolamsk. Moscow region city took the second stage of the race.

In total, over a thousand professionals and amateurs took to the start of the route.

Of course, most of the riders represented Russia, but there was a place for guests from abroad. So, on the highway near Moscow, representatives of the USA, France, Iran, Kazakhstan, Finland and Ukraine tried their hand.

Anyone over 18 years old took part in the races on 30 and 50 km. The main distance of 103 km was the qualifying stage of the Gran Fondo World Championship, the final of which will be held in Poznan in a month and a half. However, this series of races in Russia does not end there, in the world calendar of competitions there are three more stages on the territory of the Moscow region. The journalists were told by the Minister of Physical Culture and Sports of the Moscow Region Roman Teryushkov.

“It is a great honor for us that the Volokolamsk Moscow Region became the owner of the first race in Russia conducted under the auspices of the UCI International Cycling Union. In 2019, our region will receive three runs of the Gran Fondo Russia series at once. The next start will take place on September 15 in the Serpukhov district. Participants will enjoy a unique trail, which will pass through the territory of the Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve. I am confident that the race will be a bright conclusion to the season of Gran Fondo Russia road cycling races, ”said the head of the Moscow region sport.

The organizers assessed the debut qualifying stage in Russia as successful. According to the founder of Gran Fondo Russia, Svetlana Korshunova, the number of participants will increase significantly in the next competitions.

“Once our first start in the Dmitrovsky district of the Moscow region gathered about 500 people. So we began to grow and develop. This year they planned to hold four starts, but in the end there will be six. Anyone over the age of 18 can take part in our competitions if he has a medical certificate, a working bicycle and a helmet. We will be glad to everyone who shares with us a passion for speed and a healthy lifestyle! ”Korshunova said in a conversation with RT.