Thousands of riders will tackle a challenging 85 miles course from the world’s busiest bridge: George Washington Bridge in New York City

NEW YORK CITY, May 16, 2023 – The 11th GFNY World Championship NYC represents the pinnacle of GFNY Endurance Sports Series and its 30+ races in 2023. GFNY is now the world’s largest cycling marathon series with over 40 races expected to be held in 2024.

Get the official GFNY NYC 2023 Media Guide now.

RACE PREVIEW

The 11th annual GFNY World Championship NYC on May 21 is being transformed to a test race for a new UCI 1.2 pro race: the Gran Premio GFNY New York City. It is planned to start minutes ahead of the amateur field and will run on the same exact course on May 19, 2024. The race will draw pro teams from Europe and the Americas to the iconic start line on George Washington Bridge in New York City. 

This Sunday, cash primes for the first three to summit Alpine Hill, Gate Hill and Cheesecote will animate the race stacked with talent. The first six finishers overall will get to race the GP GFNY NYC pro race in 2024 as “Team GFNY”.

“We’re using this year to test the road closures on the updated course which now fulfills the criteria for a UCI Pro Race,” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme.

“Pros even from World Tour teams have raced GFNY in the past. But an actual pro race just ahead of the amateurs will bring GFNY a step closer to integrating professional racing in a mass participation race setting. It will also elevate the excitement of GFNY to another level due to the heightened media attention given to the best in the sport.”

RACE FAVORITES FEMALE

Italian Samantha Arnaudo (Officine Mattio) is back to defend her title. Challenging her will be two compatriots. Her team mate Annalisa Prato dominated GFNY Cannes earlier this year and Chiara Doni (Swattclub) has shown what she’s capable of. 

French Marine Quiniou is a multiple GFNY France race champion and ready to show it to the ladies from across The Alps. 

Representing the USA is 2019 GFNY World Champion Jill Patterson. She’s still unsure if she is in the shape to compete at the highest level after she finished 3rd last year and went on a European rampage winning both GFNY La Vaujany – Alpe d’Huez and GFNY Lourdes Tourmalet. GFNY Waco champion Erica Sanchez from the USA will get a chance to show what she can do on a tougher course.

Gita Widya Yunika from Indonesia is the GFNY Bali champion so we know she can climb. A hot New York spring day will work to her favor. 

Latin Americans are always in the mix and this year we expect in particular Maria Paz (Colombia), the GFNY Florida champion and Cecillia Caillabet (Uruguay), double GFNY champion in Uruguay to be in the mix.

RACE FAVORITES MALE

2022 champion Luca Vergallito (Italy) turned pro and is racing elsewhere so the eyes are on runner-up and his compatriot Mattia Gaffuri (Swattclub) who showed early form by winning GFNY Cannes this year. 2017 champ and 2019 second place Ricardo Pichetta (Officine Mattio), also Italian, should never be counted out based on his experience alone.

Triple GFNY Florida champion Leon Santamaria is flying the US flag. He just has to put it together on the hills. Local hero Ben Gorodetzky continues to improve at GFNY and can no doubt get close to the podium this year. However, USA’s trump card is former pro Ben Wolfe. The punchy course should suit the time trial beast.

Climbing specialists Kenny Nijssen (Universe Cycling Team), from the Netherlands, who is a regular on the GFNY France circuit, and GFNY Bali champ Mohamad Faisal from Indonesia have to show they can outrace the field on NYC’s rough roads and short and steep climbs. 

Traditionally strong are the Latin Americans. Representing Mexico are Luis Lemus (GFNY Racing), former pro and multiple GFNY champion, Flavio de Luna (GFNY Racing), Christopher Torres (GFNY Cozumel champion) and last but not least Miguel Arroyo who won two GFNY just last year.

Can Diego Vazquez bring the crown back to Colombia? The double GFNY Bogota champ proved to have the lungs in addition to the legs. Elvys Noel Reyes (Republica Dominicana) is the double GFNY Republica Dominicana champ. That race is mostly flat – what can he do in NYC? Last but not least: Chilean Felipe Aros (305 Cycle) won GFNY Puerto Rico and was 7th last year in NYC so he knows how to race this course. 

RACE DAY LIVE COVERAGE

GFNY NYC’s race day broadcast is the world’s boldest live broadcast offered by an open-to-all race, available in English and Spanish. A professional crew is working to deliver a high-level race day broadcast starting at 6am ET on GFNY.COM, Youtube and other social media channels. Four moto and two fixed cameras will be running to capture the race and bring the action to fans around the world.

ENSURING A FAIR RACE 

Since its inception, GFNY administers in- and out of competition doping controls that ensure a fair competition. GFNY was the first mass participation race to hold out-of-competition controls (=not on race day). These controls are critical to serve the element of surprise. 

GFNY will also conduct checks for motors on bikes at the start and have a parc ferme at the finish to test bikes of the top finishers. 

GFNY WELCOME ZONE

The GFNY Welcome Zone & Café will serve as a gathering place for riders before or after a ride on the GFNY course during GFNY Race Week. It will be open from Friday, May 19 to Saturday, May 20 from 8am – 3pm each day at the GFNY Finish Village in Fort Lee (PIP Park, Fort Lee NJ).

The GFNY Café and Welcome Zone will also be open on race day, Sunday, May 21 from 8am – 4pm to welcome spectators, and families and friends of GFNY cyclists. 

NYC BIKE EXPO

The 11th New York City Bike Expo is also held in PIP Park Fort Lee, NJ from May 19-21, 2023, opening hours are 10am – 6.30pm.

GFNY World events, GFNY Merch and Apparel Shop, Cannondale, Elite, Vittoria, T-Mobile, Visit Indonesia, Pissei, Officine Mattio and many more will be on hand to showcase their latest offerings. 

GFNY RIDER TECH PLATFORM

The GFNY technology platform with rider accounts allows riders to create or claim their GFNY account, see past GFNY results, and check progress to multi-finisher medals like the 10x medal or the 3×2023 medal. They can also check qualification status for the front corrals at GFNYs and register for any and every GFNY World race. Registration is available in 30 languages.

About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series

GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.

Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts its athletes first.

Cycling

30-plus events held around the world. View the latest calendar here

Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.

Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Elite Qualifier Corral at every GFNY World event.

Further Material for Media Use

Official GFNY World Championship NYC video: here

GFNY Press Images: here 

GFNY Results: here

GFNY World calendar graphic: here

Previous GFNY press releases: here

Media Contact

Gran Fondo New York Inc.

Uli Fluhme,

Caroline Lindsay,