For the first time a field limit will be implemented at L'Eroica this year. The possibility of this was aired in November when the organizer stated, "This event has now reached the perfect size, therefore the number of participants ideally should not exceed that of 2010. This seems to us to be the best way to guarantee the top quality service that we want to ensure into the future. We intend to use our website to offer both Italians and foreigners the opportunity to register their participation but we will certainly provide the same opportunity to those who are not computer literate."
In 2010 there were 3,480 riders with slightly more than 20% coming from outside of Italy and representing five continents.
For 2011 the field limit has been defined as permitting 2,200 Italians and 500 from other nations between the ages of 15 and 60 years old. Participants born before December 31, 1951 (over 60 years old), whether Italian or foreigners, are exempt from these field limit numbers but must formally register through the various means the organizer provides.
Also, riders over 65 will be permitted to ride only the 38, 75 and 135 km courses; that is, they will not be permitted to ride the longest course of 205 km.
Registration opens February 1, 2011. Online registration will be available at www.eroica.it
Related L'Eroica stories and videos previously published here:
2010 L'Eroica video
2010 Le Coq video series
2009 L'Eroica video by Brooks of England
Martin Appel'ss L'Eroica adventure in three parts: Part I, Part II, and Part III
Riding L'Eroica on a 3 speed Pashley (includes a link to a video)
Riding L'Eroica on a fixed gear
2009 L'Eroica photos by Blufreccia
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Field limits are a fact of life in the States. The Death Ride has a lottery, and multiples of the 3000 riders apply every year. The Levi's Grand Fondo in NorCal had the limit of 4500 riders 8 months before the ride. It appears cycling is a victim of its own success!
ReplyDeleteWe're happy to hear l'Eroica is a) successful and b)smart enough to avoid taking too many people and destroying the quality of their event.
ReplyDeleteBy the time we can move there and take part Larry will likely be old enough to get in despite the limits!