Everyone: The Gran Fondo New York starts again on May 17th. Velomotion spoke to racing boss Uli Fluhme about cycling in "The Big Apple" and his global racing series GFNY.
Uli, on May 17th you are organizing the 5th time Gran Fondo New York, a race for everyone in one of the largest metropolises in the world. Where do the participants come from and what route do you send them?
Again this year we have more than 70 nations at the start, making us the most international peloton in the world. I would compare the route to an Ardennes classic: no long climbs, but rarely flat, 160km with 2.500 meters of altitude difference. It leaves Manhattan from the George Washington Bridge and heads north along small streets along the Hudson River. Cycling in New York is better than you think.
What is so special about it, why should cyclists from Europe seriously consider participating?
Combining your cycling hobby with a visit to the capital of the world is a unique opportunity. I moved to NYC for work seven years ago and fell in love with the city immediately. I've been a Gran Fondo fan since the 1990s. With GFNY I combine these two passions. Participating in the GFNY leaves a lasting impression that you will tell your grandchildren about. And it brings acquaintances with like-minded athletes from all over the world.
The fifth edition is a first small anniversary. How did the event develop?
GFNY has firmly established itself in the global cycling calendar. From year to year we get better support in the region. NYC is the most competitive market in the world. Everyone wants to raise something there. Big events like Formula 1, six-day races, Giro d'Italia or Ironman have failed because of this. The costs are enormous: we pay $500.000 for permits and the police alone – and the trend is rising. We're proud to bring cyclists from around the world to NYC and show NYC what real cycling is.
Seven events are now taking place worldwide under the GFNY label, at locations with great cycling history such as Mont Ventoux, but mostly at places that are rather exotic for Europeans, such as Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia or Argentina. Is cycling booming in Latin America?
Every year after our race we get dozens of emails asking, “Now what?” Our participants don't want to wait a whole year for the next challenge. Initially we always referred to Gran Fondos in Italy because no country understands cycling as well as Italy. However, most drivers were reluctant to organize a trip themselves, be it due to language barriers or other reasons. So late last year we launched the GFNY World Series with races in Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Barcelona and Colombia. If desired, the drivers can also book travel and accommodation via GFNY. The top 10% of each age group will qualify for a start in the NYC racer's block. Cycling is definitely booming in South America, but Asia is also on the rise.
What does the GFNY umbrella brand do at these events? Are there uniform quality standards?
Every GFNY World event is a start-finish, chip-timed race with a closed course or at least police-enforced right-of-way at every intersection. There are also uniform rules. Thanks to our international race in NYC, we have contacts with cyclists worldwide. Every GFNY event is immediately very international with drivers from all over the world, which creates a very special atmosphere.
Why should an average amateur cyclist start in Cozumel or San Luis instead of, for example, at the Ötztaler?
I find the Ötztaler you should just like Marathon Dolomites to have ridden once in a lifetime. But instead of going to the same events every year, I recommend trying something new. You won't find the warmth and passion of the South Americans in the Ötztal. Anyone who travels has something to tell.
Will GFNY keep growing? Are new events planned and if so where?
Yes, GFNY continues to grow. We get inquiries from organizers from all over the world every week. GFNY has standards that not everyone can meet, which is why we choose with caution. We have plans for five more races in 2016, two of them in Europe and one in Germany. We will probably have details on this this summer.
The fight against doping is very important to you. At the Gran Fondo New York there are doping tests that you finance with the equivalent of 15.000 euros out of your own pocket. It is very important to you that you drive cleanly.
I've been competing as an endurance athlete myself for over 20 years and I don't feel like competing against dopers. We all train hard for our races and don't accept it when someone takes a shortcut. Then why should we accept dopers?
Do you also see other organizers as having a duty to do more in the fight against doping in amateur and hobby sports?
Of course. This applies to all large events that can bear these costs. There are many excuses - we've all heard them several times - but since 2012 we've been showing that it's feasible. And not just us, but also many organizers in Italy, who are pioneers with it. I am a lawyer and am testing in the USA, the country with the most (compensation) lawsuits. It works if you just want it.
How do you feel about May 17th, the day of the Gran Fondo New York? What is your daily routine as an event organizer?
Friday/Saturday is our expo, which means I get 2-3 hours of sleep. Saturday night, I usually get only one hour. At 2 a.m., I'm at the start on the George Washington Bridge to oversee the setup. The starting gates open at 5 a.m. Shortly before 7 a.m., our African-American gospel singer sings the anthem. Then, promptly at 7 a.m., the race begins. I'm in the lead vehicle, overseeing the race from there as race director. At around 11.15:18 a.m., we're among the first to cross the finish line. I'm at the finish until the finish line closes, greeting the riders, and at the festival grounds for the awards ceremony, etc. We pack up at 22 p.m., and I'm home around 365 p.m. XNUMX days of work are over. The next morning, it starts all over again. 1.000 Employees and volunteers make GFNY possible. GFNY is a demanding dream job.
What conclusion would you like to draw on the evening of May 17th?
The simple formula always applies to cycle race organizers: no serious injuries = good race!
Uli Fluhme on other GFNY events:
GFNY Mont Ventoux: For the first time in the history of Mont Ventoux, amateur athletes have the opportunity to participate in a race that finishes on Mont Ventoux. The start is in the historic town of Vaison-la-Romaine, which offers cultural diversity for drivers and companions. The award ceremony takes place in a 2.000-year-old theater!
GFNY Italia: Terracina is an hour south of Rome, which guarantees gorgeous summer weather at the end of September. The race itself is a classic Italian Gran Fondo with everything that goes with it: start and finish at the sea with a course through the hilly to mountainous hinterland. Proximity to Rome suggests a city break and Ciampino and Fiumicino airports make the race easily accessible.
GFNY Cozumel-Mexico: We don't call the race “First Gran Fondo in Paradise” for nothing. Golden beaches, 28 degrees water temperature, never below 20 degrees even at night - and that at the end of November! The ideal way to end the season with the family. The route is flat as a board, but the wind is blowing noticeably, which is why there is even an extra “King of the Wind” time classification for 20km. Cozumel is easily accessible by either ferry or flight via Cancun, which has dozens of direct flights to Germany. Not convinced yet? Tacos and margaritas at their finest!
GFNY Argentina: San Luis is the cycling capital of Argentina. At the Tour de San Luis in January, WorldTour pros fight for UCI points and early form. GFNY Argentina takes place at the beginning of the summer there (December) and can be ideally combined with a visit to Buenos Aires and Patagonia.
GFNY Colombia: GFNY Colombia starts and finishes outside of the capital, Bogota, at 2.650m, and the course climbs to a staggering 3.340m, making it the highest Gran Fondo in the world. The appeal of the race lies in its altitude and the Colombians' enthusiasm for cycling, unmatched anywhere else in the world except by the Italians.