Tarantola and Bunel win after 3973m of climbing in the spectacular French Vercors National Park

 

New York City, May 29, 2024 – The mountainous Vercors national park was the playground of the third edition of GFNY Villard de Lans this past Sunday.  The 163.4 km racecourse boasts an elevation gain of 3973 m. Host town Villard de Lans yet again rolled out the red carpet for GFNY and its riders. It’s no coincidence that the race is among the top voted events by GFNY riders. Villard de Lans’ experience as host of Olympic Games and multiple Tour stages shows.

The race started off fast and the peloton remained grouped together. On the first climb up to Col de la Croix Perrin, multiple GFNY podium finisher David Polveroni (France) put in an attack and extended his lead to 45 seconds.  

At km 43, six riders joined the lead: the French Julien Bérard, who won the 2022 GFNY Lourdes-Tourmalet, Damien Tarantola, Guillaume Cloitre, Leo Maisonobe, American Robert Alpen, and the Belgian former professional cyclist of Soudal Quick Step Team Brecht Stas. The group worked well together, extending their lead to six minutes ahead of an 18 rider chase group. 

On the final climb, Tarantola put in an attack the others could not match and took the win in 4:41:22, one minute ahead of Polveroni and Maisonobe who completed the all french podium.

In the female race, Marion Bunel took the win in 5:18:07, 6 minutes ahead of GFNY Villard de Lans 2023 champion Alison Chavanon.  Camille Fahy rounded out the podium.

Next up on the GFNY calendar is the inaugural edition of GFNY Paracas which will take place Saturday, June 8, 2024.

 

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.

The official GFNY website is: gfny.com.

 

Cycling – Mass Participation

Dozens of races are 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.

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

 

Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC

The 13th annual Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 18, 2025. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. It is so international that it’s often described as the United Nations of cycling. Athletes take on a challenging route to compete against each other, the clock, and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.

The official Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC website is NYC.GFNY.COM.

 

Cycling – Pro Racing

Gran Premio New York City was the inaugural UCI 1.2 pro race on May 19, 2024. Professional teams raced the same course as riders at the Michelob ULTRA GFNY World Championship NYC – but with a 10-minute head start. The second edition will be held on May 18, 2025 and aims to be at 1.1 level to be able to have World Tour teams racing.

The official Gran Premio New York City website is GP.GFNY.COM.

 

Further Material for Media Use

Official GFNY Villard de Lans 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,