The Gran Fondo World Series is coming to Ireland for the first time ever. The global event that is for cyclists of all abilities will be coming to Sligo on the beautiful west coast of the country. A true Gran Fondo is meant to make an everyday rider feel like a fully supported professional rider, and Gran Fondo Ireland will do so with a real Irish flare.
The Gran Fondo Ireland (GFI) is set to be one of Europe’s top Gran Fondo events, attracting cyclists from all over the world. With the ride intended to grow in popularity each year, it will allow cyclists to explore the tracks and roads of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Starting in June 2024, Gran Fondo Ireland #Sligo is the first-ever Gran Fondo event in Ireland to be included in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series. The UCI Granfondo World Series is a series of UCI-sanctioned races held all over the world. Some 25-30 qualifier events will qualify the top 25% in each age group to the UCI Granfondo World Championships, where the champions are awarded with the coveted rainbow jersey. While promoting high-level competition for both Masters and Amateurs.
The event begins and culminates in Sligo Town, where all participants will be greeted by live entertainment, a finisher’s medal, a Prize Presentation show, food, drink and much more.
In the spirit of the World Gran Fondo Series, the GFI is a highly energetic public cycling event attended by pros, recreational cyclists, and weekend warriors. GFI incorporates timed overall routes, fantastic rest stops, route support mechanics to make sure you keep rolling along.
There are four routes for all abilities;
- Gran Fondo 155km
- The route will take in the following areas in Sligo Town and the county.
Start: Wine Street R292, moving towards Strandhill and remaining on the R292 to Ransboro. Turning right the TT stays on the R292 heading towards Ballysadare and picking up the N59. At Beltra the GF turns right and picks up the Wild Atlantic Way. The GF turns left at Carrowhubbock onto the R298, taking the event towards the N59. Turning right of the N59 the event makes it way towards Bonniconlon. At Bonniconlon the GF turns left onto the R294 passing by Lough Talt. The GF remains on the R294 passing through Tobercurry before joining the R296 and Ballymote. The event crosses over the N4 to Drumfin and Riverstown before joining the R284 through Ballygawley and towards Carraroe, Sligo Cemetery before turning left onto Cleaveragh Drive and finishing at Doorly Park.
Finish: Doorly Park, Sligo
- The route will take in the following areas in Sligo Town and the county.
- Medium 110km
- The route will take in the following areas in Sligo Town and the county.
Start: Wine Street R292, moving towards Strandhill and remaining on the R292 to Ransboro. Turning right the TT stays on the R292 heading towards Ballysadare, Collooney and Coolaney. From Coolaney the MF heads towards Mullany’s Cross, turning left onto the R294.The MF remains on the R294 passing through Tobercurry before joining the R296 and Ballymote. The event crosses over the N4 to Drumfin and Riverstown before joining the R284 through Ballygawley and towards Carraroe, Sligo Cemetery before turning left onto Cleaveragh Drive and finishing at Doorly Park.
Finish: Doorly Park, Sligo
- The route will take in the following areas in Sligo Town and the county.
- Sportive 85km
- The route will take in the following areas in Sligo Town and the county.
Start: Wine Street R292, moving towards Strandhill and remaining on the R292 to Ransboro. Turning right the TT stays on the R292 heading towards Ballysadare, Collooney and Coolaney. From Coolaney the Sportive turns left onto L2801 towards Derrybeg before joining the R296 and Ballymote. The event crosses over the N4 to Drumfin and Riverstown before joining the R284 through Ballygawley and towards Carraroe, Sligo Cemetery before turning left onto Cleaveragh Drive and finishing at Doorly Park.
Finish: Doorly Park, Sligo
- The route will take in the following areas in Sligo Town and the county.
- Time Trial 26km
- The route will take in the following areas in Sligo Town and the county.
Start: Wine Street R292, moving towards Strandhill and remaining on the R292 to Ransboro. Turning right the TT stays on the R292 heading towards Ballysadare, Collooney and Coolaney. From Coolaney the Sportive turns left onto L2801 towards Derrybeg before joining the R296 and Ballymote. The event crosses over the N4 to Drumfin and Riverstown before joining the R284 through Ballygawley and towards Carraroe, Sligo Cemetery before turning left onto Cleaveragh Drive and finishing at Doorly Park.
Finish: Doorly Park, Sligo
- The route will take in the following areas in Sligo Town and the county.
How to book:
Book your place online at the official Gran Fondo website here
