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Organisers are looking forward to welcoming between four and five hundred cyclists to the annual Gran Fondo Jersey event on Sunday 23 April 2023, which raises awareness and money for Jersey’s Cheshire Home.
The event, now in its second year, aims to put on a showcase cycling event on the island and in doing so, promote the health and fitness benefits of cycling and boost the island’s visitor economy during a shoulder month.
This year’s licensed event will run over two timed courses of either 70 or 110 kilometers and will take the riders past several of the island’s iconic landmarks, as they weave through eleven of the twelve parishes. Ian Williams, the event organiser says “it’s been an ambition for a number of years now to deliver a Gran Fondo cycling event in Jersey. Each year hundreds of Jersey cyclists travel to Europe and beyond to compete in similar events, and I thought Jersey is a beautiful place, so why don’t we try and stage an event here and bring our fellow riders to our island and support our local economy. From an Island perspective, the Isle of Man has achieved it so we should be able to as well”
Primarily aimed at riders of road-bikes, all riders are welcomed to the event with the course for the 70km event being ideal for those that need a challenge or kick-start for a health, fitness, or weight-loss campaign. Entries from e-bike riders have been accepted into the 70km route and the support of Jersey Sport and Move-More Jersey has encouraged many entries from those who may have thought the event was beyond their capabilities. The 110km route will see Jersey’s Island Games and Commonwealth games riders leading the way for the hundreds of riders that enjoy the camaraderie, banter and sometimes ‘cut and thrust’ of a pacey course.
Both routes will start at 07:30 outside the (Main Sponsors) Prosperity 24/7 offices, located on Jersey’s Waterfront, and are neutralized until they pass St Aubin to allow the riders to warm up and avoid injury. The finish promises to be a spectacle, and organisers are inviting members of the public to come and watch, as competitors sprint for the finish (from 10:30 onwards) on a closed road in front of an event village in People’s Park.
The organisers are extremely grateful for the support of the IHE Roadworks & Events team for licensing the event and to the Honorary Police and the volunteer marshals for their roles in helping to keep the riders safe on the day. Organisers recognize that there will be some disruption on the roads on Sunday morning and so are asking members of the public to be patient on Sunday morning, should they come across a diversion or see a group of cyclists out on the roads.
Without the generosity of the event sponsors, Prosperity 24/7, Ogier, Pallot Glass, 3D Events, The Cog & Sprocket, this event would not be taking place. The organisers are overwhelmed by their generosity.
There is a raffle in aid of the Jersey Cheshire Home running with the event and the winning ticket will be drawn at 13:30 on Sunday. Prizes with a value totaling over £6,750 have been donated.
Further event information and online registration can be found on the event website: http://www.granfondo.je
