In September 2018, the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Management Committee awarded the 2020 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships to Vancouver/Whistler at their meeting in Bergen, Norway.
In partnership with RBC GranFondo Whistler and hosting partners in Whistler, Sport Hosting Vancouver also submitted a bid to transform the highly successful annual RBC GranFondo Whistler into a UCI Gran Fondo World Series event in 2019. Effectively a test event before the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships occur at RBC GranFondo Whistler 2020, World Series riders compete to be in the top 20% of their age group and earn a qualifying spot to the World Championships.
The RBC GranFondo Whistler takes place annually on the second weekend of September since 2010. This ride offers beautiful landscapes and a clear, traffic-free passage over the picturesque Lions Gate Bridge followed by a challenging climb to the Mountain Resort of Whistler. The same events team has recently launched the RBC GranFondo Silicon Valley in California.
“The competition will take a step up in 2019 as athletes attempt to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in 2020. Not only will riders have an advantage by qualifying on the Championship course, but we’ll be bringing new event elements to RBC GranFondo Whistler, with more details to come soon. You can really start to feel the excitement building” said Neil McKinnon, founder and Chief Enthusiast of the RBC GranFondo Whistler.
The 2018 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships took place in Varese, Italy from August 29-September 2, 2018 and supported almost 3,000 riders at the event. The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships has seen a steady increase in participants since 2011. The previous 2017 World Championships in Albi, France saw most of its riders travel from the United Kingdom (33% cyclists), and Canada was represented by 5% of cyclists.
The 2020 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships take place on September 12, 2020 along the established course from Vancouver to Whistler.
ABOUT THE UCI (UNION CYCLISTE INTERNATIONALE)
Founded in 1900, in Paris (France), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms, for all people as a competitive sport, as a healthy recreational activity, as a means of transport, and also just for fun. (http://www.uci.ch)
ABOUT RBC GRANFONDO WHISTLER
Established following the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010, RBC GranFondo Whistler is an award-winning point-to-point cycling event between Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. On average, 4000 cyclists ride each year across different distance categories, both competitive and non-competitive. The event and title sponsor RBC - Royal Bank of Canada - has also contributed over $250,000 to charitable causes since inception. (https://rbcgranfondo.com/whistler)
