INTERCONTINENTAL ENTRY FOR 2024 GRAN FONDO ISLE OF MAN POWERED BY SANTANDER INTERNATIONAL
The entry for the 9th running of Gran Fondo Isle of Man powered by Santander has been confirmed with over 1,000 riders from around the world set to take part in a range of closed roads cycling events over the weekend of the 27th and 28th of July.
Over 500 visiting riders will travel from thirty countries to compete in what is the final qualification round of the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Series. Included in the entry are riders from as far afield as the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, India Hong Kong and New Zealand along with riders from a wide range of European countries.
The feature event is unquestionably the 85-mile Gran Fondo, taking in a challenging route which features over 7000 feet of climbing. Over 300 riders will take to the start line, and with the nature of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, where a diverse selection of riders converge to compete against each other for one day, predicting a winner is difficult.
Local rider Corrin Leeming is amongst the favorites, having finished in the top five on three previous occasions, often only losing out to full time professional riders. He leads a strong CC Isle of Man Team which also includes top 10 finisher last year Mark Horsthuis and recent winner of Gran Fondo Ireland Marcus Christie.
Another local rider with a strong record in Gran Fondo Isle of Man is Will Draper, the pro triathlete will be looking to go one better than in 2023 where he finished a close second in the weather affected event
Two more local riders expected to be in the mix include The Cycling Academy duo of Callum Salisbury and Nial Colquitt, the latter man finishing an impressive fourth place on his debut 12 months earlier.
Visiting riders with previous top 20 finishes at Gran Fondo Isle of Man include NoPinz founder Blake Pond, Scotsman Andy Bruce, Wales’ Huw Owen and Northern Ireland’s Nigel Watt, and they are just a few names in what is expected to be a wide-open contest.
Local club Manx Viking Wheelers can look to Rob Sorby, Simon Harding, Niall Quiggan and Nick Colbourn for a result, with Sorby being a previous podium finisher back in 2017. Whilst Utmost Mezzo Junior CT field a strong squad made up of Will Curphey, Orry Lund, James Kinrade, Cian Howard, Owen Collins and Ivan Sorby.
Leading the women’s entry meanwhile is former pro Jennifer Powell, who is still competing competitively, taking third place in the recent Dudley GP.
Lithuania’s Vida Dolgoviene and Belgium’s Cynthia Beyne come into the event with strong results on the continent and should feature on the leaderboard. Whilst local girls Sophie Smith (Utmost Mezzo Junior CT) and Jess Pickavance (LivCC Halo Films) will call on their local knowledge in the fight for the podium.
Whilst the race at the front of the Gran Fondo is likely to be fast and furious, for most of the riders, the challenge is a personal one, and just getting to the finish is enough reward for what is a particularly challenging parcours. Amongst those taking part for the first time looking to enjoy the event, is new resident and factory Honda TT rider Dean Harrison, who will no doubt be able to call on much encouragement from local supporters as he makes his way around the course.
Running simultaneously with the Gran Fondo will be a Medio Fondo over 40 miles and a Piccolo Fondo over 20 miles, meaning around 800 riders will be circulating the Islands roads at the same time.
The event also features an Individual Time Trial on Saturday 27th of July, where over 100 riders will take on a closed roads ascent of the Mountain section of the TT Motorcycle race circuit, and a Minisculo Fondo for younger riders on a ½ mile closed roads circuit at Ramsey’s Mooragh Park.
The event is once again headquartered at Mooragh Park, where there will be a Riders Village featuring a range of facilities and attractions for riders and supporters to enjoy throughout the weekend.
All event information can be found at the Gran Fondo Isle of Man official web site at www.granfondoisleofman.com