Part I
The official announcement came today of the main sponsorship change of the GranFondo USA from Colnago to Cannondale:
Cannondale and GranFondo World Find Cadence In New Global Partnership
"GranFondo World and Cannondale Announce New Partnership. Twelve Event Cycling Experience Begins in April with GranFondo Cannondale San Diego.
Cannondale has announced its global title sponsorship of the 2012 GranFondo World series, produced by Star Events. The company will remain the official naming partner and cycling company for all GranFondo World events until 2014. An Italian-inspired experience is comprised of twelve long distance, mass participation cycling events. This year’s GranFondo World series will include six all new United States based events in San Diego, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Vail, Reno and Miami. The first event of the year will be the GranFondo Cannondale San Diego on April 15th.
“We’re excited to partner with Star Events as the Global Title Sponsor of the 2012 GranFondo series,” said Bob Burbank, Global General Manager, Cannondale. “These events are well-matched to the goals of Cannondale – to provide cyclists the ultimate inspirational riding experience.” Every participant in a GranFondo USA event will wear a timing chip in order to ensure the full route is completed, to score athletes over the toughest climb, and award King and Queen of the Mountains prizes in every age group. GranFondo participation is open to recreational and competitive amateur cyclists.
“We are thrilled to welcome Cannondale to the GranFondo family. Cannondale has a deep history with Italian cycling as well as the best race products available to consumers in the world,” said Chairman, CEO, and Founder Georg Hochegger. “Our partnership with Cannondale will make the GranFondo World series a truly unforgettable cycling experience.” Participants will enjoy a custom-sublimated cycling jersey, commemorative medal, well-stocked aid stations, traffic-controlled intersections, and a post ride-Italian feast, topped off with a celebratory glass of Prosecco.
To learn more about the GranFondo Cannondale series and to register for the events, please visit www.granfondousa.com. GranFondo participants receive an early discount rate of $99 if booked by February 22nd.
The 2012 series dates include:
U.S.
San Diego, CA: April 15, 2012
Los Angeles/Beverly Hills, CA: June 10, 2012
Philadelphia, CA (ed. note: PA): August 12, 2012
Vail, CA (ed.note: CO): August 19, 2012
Reno/Lake Tahoe, CA: October 14, 2012
Miami, CA (ed.note FL): November 18, 2012
Europe
Bad Kleinkirchheim: May 27, 2012
Valberg-Col de la Bonnette: July 15, 2012"
ABOUT GRANFONDO WORLD
The GranFondo World label is owned by Star Production SARL, a Monaco based company specializing in organizing high quality sports events that are focused on fun, social responsibility and environmental protection. GranFondo World presents authentic Italian-inspired pure cycling events in San Diego, LA – Beverly Hills, Philadelphia, Vail, Reno and Miami. www.star-events.cc
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Angelo, I think you have all the locations for the GranFondo USA designated in the state of California (CA) even for the event locations outside of California.
ReplyDeleteInteresting development for "an Italian inspired series" of events. Some would say Cannondale was the beginning of the end for Italian frames - when the guys who had been brazing and filing all those gorgeous lugged steel frames saw what people would pay for cheap-to-make and ugly welded bicycles, thousands of torches were turned off forever in frame shops all over Italy. In many the lugs and tubes are still under the workbench, rusting away. Maybe it's fitting that Cannondale take over these events as well? Sad but true.
ReplyDelete@Robbin: thanks for catching that, will let them know (came that way from them)
ReplyDelete"Beginning of the end" for mass produced lugged frames maybe. There are many independent frame artisans here and abroad who are doing quite well selling $4,000+ frames. There will always be a place for beautifully crafted, lugged steel frames.
ReplyDeleteWhile you may not love that they're now the sponsor, at least someone stepped up to the plate to sign the check to keep these events happening.
CB - the numbers don't lie. Exports/production of made-in-Italy bicycles have fallen way down since the debut of Cannondale. Larry would also say there are far fewer artisan builders now than there were then...just of the top of his bald head he can think of two who closed without being able to think of any who have come into the market. Do you know of any who have taken up the torch since this time? Or maybe some who still are brazing and have seen increased demand for their lugged frames?
ReplyDelete