BGY Airport Granfondo right off, Bergamo opens a new runway for bikes
2000 cycling enthusiasts to take the start at the new Bergamo cycling event’s premiere tomorrow, Sunday, May 14, powered by G.M.S. in cooperation with SACBO and Milan Bergamo Airport. Weather conditions expected to improve
The first edition of the BGY Airport Granfondo is finally approaching: tomorrow, Sunday, May 14, at 7.00 a.m., 2000 participants – including 150 internationals – will be at the start of Bergamo’s new cycling 4fun event: a debut that could be rainy, although the forecast is improving and raises hopes for the many riders.
Created from the unprecedented collaboration between the organizers of G.M.S. and SACBO, the company managing Milan Bergamo airport, the new Bergamo Granfondo definitively turns the page with emotion on the 24-edition chapter dedicated to international cycling and local legend, Felice Gimondi.
Aiming to bring new life to the Granfondo, embracing the future by engaging a young and global audience, the partnership with Milan Bergamo Airport – BGY its international acronym – not only highlights Italy’s third hub in terms of passengers, but also its Bike-Friendly certification, first ever in Europe. The Bergamo’s infrastructure features a bike-pedestrian ring connecting to the city centre in less than 5 km, and recently the BGY Bike Office, a space dedicated to bike tourists, who can reassemble their bikes as soon as they get off the plane.
From yesterday, Friday, May 12, and until Tuesday, May 16, free support from Vittoria Servizio Corse for bike assembly and preparation, and also bike-bag storage, is available for all granfondo participants joining Bergamo by plane. The Bike Room is open between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., booking the service even outside these hours is also possible sending an email to serviziogomme@vittoria.com, providing personal information and those of the arrival and departure flights.
A group of airport employees will be at the start as well. “After a long and challenging process, here we are – Giuseppe Manenti, G.M.S. leader explained -. It has been a year of major changes and new challenges for us. It has not been an easy few months; My gratitude to Milan Bergamo Airport for their support and for believing in our project. We have approached a new phase with the same passion that have brought nearly 100,000 cyclists to ride through our city and province over the years. No one can boast of an airport so close to the city and to the start of the Granfondo, which also has a dedicated space for bicycles and allows people to reach the city om the saddle: there is great potential.”
The BGY Airport Granfondo runs on three routes through 37 municipalities and 6 valleys in Bergamo and its province, all starting and finishing in the heart of the city. the 89.4 km Short (open to any type of bike), the 128.8 km Medium and the 162.1 km Long routes. All distances include passages from iconic points of Bergamo cycling, such as the Colle Gallo or the Selvino climb, also hosting the “Eugenio Mercorio Uphill Time Trial.”
Preliminary operations at the Lazzaretto headquarters have already been active since 9 a.m. today, Saturday, May 13, where until 8 p.m. it will be possible to pick up all the materials needed to take part in the event and visit the stands of the brands at the Expo Village.
In terms of security, there will be more than 300 units including Police, Additional Security Officers and Marshall patrolling the intersections, also supported by 70 vehicles including – for the first time – electric vehicles provided by Sarco Toyota. Mechanical assistance, on the other hand, is guaranteed by the quality of Vittoria Servizio Corse, both with cars along with the routes and with a permanent service point.
The official jersey of the 2023 event is dedicated to Bergamo Brescia Italian Capital of Culture, made by Santini Cycling Weat with the colours of the two cities and the logo of the association. Artworks by Bergamo artist Emilio Belotti are also on display at the Lazzaretto, while the “Bergamo Alta, Bike and Plane” trophy – destined to the winner – is the creation of Bergamo sculptor Maestro Antonino Rando.
