Sun, pasta and fun at the "Gran Fondo Colnago", San Diego 2011

Thousands of participants for the third edition of the “Gran Fondo Colnago” San Diego, the Italian themed event that is gaining popularity in the U.S.. “Gran Fondos “ are long distance, mass-participation cycling events –not races- that are very popular in Italy. A beautiful Californian day welcomed the participants. Under the Little Italy landmark sign next to the roar of Ferrari and Ducati and with the music background of “Nessun Dorma” by Puccini sung by Pavarotti, countless cyclists arrived for the event from everywhere in the States and from Canada. The presence of Italian teams was also large and unique for their style and elegance.

Hon. Nicola Faganello, who arrived expressly for the event, started the race with a coundown in Italian. The participants have soon stretched in groups on the two different paths: one of 65 miles and one of 100 miles speeding near the beautiful shoreline. After a few hours they started to reach the arrival, greeted by their families, friends and curious.

A big festival took place in an area where the restaurant “Via Italia” had arranged in advance different kind of pasta, “polenta concia”(a polenta with butter and fontina cheese) and tasty delicacies. Interesting and lively the expo of products and services dedicated to cycling with the presence of the most important sponsors of the event: Colnago, Campagnolo, FSA, Fulcrum, Gaerne, Prologo, Speedplay, Italy Bike Hotel. “The bike school”, an acrobatic school, with jumps and pirouettes has aroused the enthusiasm of the youth.

A great feast for adults and kids, that is getting an appointment more and more important for the promotion and the presentation of the “Sistema Italia” to the desirable market segment of which the average cyclist is a part. The “Gran Fondo USA” also shows a part of the Italian lifestyle, with spirito di partecipazione, food tasting a great service and attention to details. The numerous sponsors , among them Alitalia, have seen in this event an important instrument of promotion.

The race is absolutely non- competitive. It is more like a work-out, or a challenge to our limits. An exciting event that also helps to create a community of fans. An attractive Californian participant told us: “ I want to participate to all the “Gran Fondo” of the USA! To have an appointment like this in my schedule helps me to plan my work-out and when I am here I know that I am going to enjoy myself and that I will get to know a lot of people with my interests.”

Even if it is non-competitive, each participant in the “Gran Fondo” event wears a timing chip. This ensures that cyclists complete the entire course, and allows the event to score athletes over the toughest climb and award King and Queen of the mountains with a little special prize. This year the winners were Luca Ortolani, (29’17” ) from Italy and Yew Ann, (35’47”) expressly arrived for the race from Canada.

The next , unmissable event will be the “Gran Fondo” Los Angeles” that will end a very Italian week dedicated to the “Dolce Vita”, in the heart of Beverly Hills. More events are scheduled in the aristocratic Philadelphia (August 14) and in the tropical Miami (November 20). For more information visit www.granfondousa.com