Cycling: UCI content with UCI World Tour Copenhagen Gran Fondo

"Absolutely perfectly organized. If all races in our race series were like this, I would be happy," says the international cycling union representative, UCI, Erwin Vervecken after two days of professional racing for amateurs from 22 nations the UCI World Tour Copenhagen Gran Fondo.

After today's Road Race, there was great satisfaction among the participants, who were sent out on the epic course through yellow fields in North Zealand. Around 1,000 participants competed today. The spectators along the course and at the finish area completed the impression of a pro race. 

"Perfectly organized. Beautiful surroundings. I was very happy with the distance as this provided the best conditions for qualification," says German Alexander Bauer, who won the age group 40 to 45. Alexander Bauer had praise for the set-up of the event. "Again perfect. I have participated in many races around the world and can say that this is some of the best I have ever experienced. There was a lot of traffic on the route, but - mind you - it was on a Saturday."

Also race director, Jens Kasler, looks back at this year's Gran Fondo with great satisfaction: "For us it is of course important that everything runs smoothly on the course and that the riders have a good experience. Both Thursday's time trial and today's road race lived up to our motto "ride like a pro" - and we've got really good responses from both riders and spectators."

Jens Kasler comments on the many Danish and foreign riders who qualified for the UCI World Cycling Tour Final that is being staged in Denmark in September: "We hear that many of those who have qualified say they either already have been in Jutland or intend to go there to train on the courses in preparation for Final."

Sport Event Denmark that partners the event is satisfied with this year’s Gran Fondo: "Sport Event Denmark has been involved with both major international sporting events like the UCI Road World Championships in 2011 and mass participation events like the Copenhagen Gran Fondo in collaboration with the Danish Cycling Federation. Cycling events brand Denmark and Denmark within the world of cycling," says Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark and looks forward to the final in September in Denmark.

• Place: Elsinor, Denmark

• Date 14. & 16. May

• Distances: Time Trial & Road Race

• Participants: Time Trial: 570

• Participants: Road Race: 1000

• 22 nations counting Canada, The Netherlands, Mongolia and the Nordic Countries

The Gran Fondo Copenhagen is organized by The Danish Cycling Federation, DCU, partnered by the City of Elsinore and Sport Event Denmark.