Frank Schleck, the Luxembourg cyclist from Mondorf-les-Bains who has announced his retirement from professional cycling at the end of this year, has announced that he is organising a mass-participation cycle race, the Schleck Gran Fondo, on Saturday 20 May 2017.
After 13 years of professional cycling, Frank Schleck has decided to share his passion and his love for cycling by organising a UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier on his training routes in Luxembourg and especially in the beautiful Moselle region.
The Schleck Gran Fondo is a mass participation cycle sport event. It is a qualifier for the UCI Gran Fondo Workd championships held in Albi, France. Riders finishing in the top 25% of their Masters Age / Gender Classification will be invited to the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships and receive a UGFWS Qualifiers medal. The event will feature Frank Schleck himslef and his former team mates.
Two distances will be involved - either 175.9km or 91.3km.
Boasting 2,757m of elevation, the 175.9km race tests the endurance of riders with an awe-inspiring course. The first 25km leads along the Moselle region which occupies much of the eastern part of the country and features slopes flanking the majestic Moselle River before testing for the first time their climbing qualities. The Wormeldange Wall, well known by the professional riders of the Skoda Tour de Luxembourg, is a famous, steep hill. The 175.9km course is a very challenging race track with a repetition of short and steep climbs. The race course will also cross the Mullerthal Region – Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland – which owes its name to its hilly landscape reminiscent of real Switzerland. This region is above all a unique biotope characterised by fascinating rock formations which owe their aspect to millenniums of erosion. Parts of the region are about to become a nature park. The Schleck Gran Fondo provides spectacular views at the rock formations. The highest point is reached after 97km in Angelsberg, before returning to the start/ finish in Mondorf-les-Bains.
The 91.3km race (1,429m of elevation) follows the first 40km of the 175.9km course, providing a shorter challenge for all abilities. 8km later the riders of the small track will join again the race course of the 175.9km track. Their highest point will be reached after 62 km.
There are 3 feed zones located on the 175.9km and 2 on the 91.3km Schleck Gran Fondo course. Drinks and food are provided at each location, however riders are advised to start with two full bidons and carry their own food and spare tubes.
For full details, see www.schleckgranfondo.com or email: info@schleck-x-perience.com
