Gran Fondo National Series

Name: Gran Fondo Maryland
Start: 2023-09-16T20:00:00-04:00
End: 2023-09-17T19:59:59-04:00
Location: Frederick, Maryland

Cycling is not just about the physical challenge; it is also about the community and the experience. The Gran Fondo National Series was created to combine the competitive nature of bike racing and the social aspects of group rides to create events that are challenging, fun, and inclusive. Since its establishment in 2012, the Gran Fondo National Series has managed and produced over 60 gran fondos, including the official USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships.

The series is the largest and most competitive series of gran fondo cycling events in the United States. The series was the first to implement timed-segment racing into US gran fondo events, and since 2012 has been crowned Gran Fondo National Champions. In 2020, the series partnered with USA Cycling to bring a one-day Gran Fondo National Championship into the portfolio of official USA Cycling National Championship events.

The series events have a lot to offer, including excellent venue support, well-marked routes, enjoyable routes with varying difficulty levels, and finish-line celebrations with music, food, and drinks. Additionally, the series uses a unique timed-segment format that allows cyclists of different levels to ride together, race each other, regroup to share stories, and enjoy the scenery in some of the finest cycling destinations in the United States.

The USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship is an official USA Cycling National Championship event that utilizes the timed-segment format. The event is held annually, and a national championship jersey and medal are awarded to the overall winner in each Gran Route age group category. The 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event will be held at Gran Fondo Maryland in Frederick, Maryland, on September 17.

To compete in the National Championship category, riders must qualify by meeting specific criteria, including results and rankings in Qualification Events. However, all riders are welcome to participate in Gran Fondo Maryland and ride any of the normal Maryland Gran Fondo routes (Gran, Medio, and Piccolo), regardless of qualification status.

It is worth noting that a USA Cycling membership is required to participate in the USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships. However, a membership is not necessary to participate in the Gran Fondo National Series-produced events or to qualify for the 2023 USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championships.

GFNS-owned events include Gran Fondo Florida; Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo; Highlands Gran Fondo; Gran Fondo Asheville; Boone Gran Fondo; Golden Gran Fondo; Gran Fondo Maryland. Partner events include Cheaha Challenge; Vermont Gran Fondo; Utah-Cache Gran Fondo; Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo; 719 Ride; Mt Evans Hill Climb Gran Fondo.