Glamour and Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills

Note: Registration for the Gran Fondo Colnago Los Angeles will be close Sunday, June 19, at 8pm; only a few more hours to register....

From Gran Fondo USA:

"All is set for the first edition of Gran Fondo Colnago Los Angeles, taking place on Sunday, June 26, 2011 in Beverly Hills, with mass start scheduled at 7:00 am from world-wide celebrated shopping destination, Rodeo Drive.

This premiere edition offers two routes, a long one (72 miles with 7100’ of climbing) and a short ride at 39 miles with 2100’ of climbing. The actual bike ride will start at the North end of the 400 block of Rodeo Drive and Little Santa Monica, heading North and then West onto Big Santa Monica to Wilshire, on the operatic notes of famous Italian arias, riding then he Ocean, embracing challenging ascents and hills, rolling through breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. A lively and authentic Italian lunch will be provided by celebrated Italian Restaurant Caffe` Roma, which will reload all returning cyclists’ carb levels, while VIPs are going to enjoy their very own special treatment with superlative wines, gourmet foods and delicacies in the best Italian hospitality flare. King and Queen of the Mountain will be announced in the afternoon.

“The success of our events is based on our adaptation of the ‘Made in Italy’ theme for the American cycling community,” says Gran Fondo co-founder Matteo Gerevini. The four events of Gran Fondo USA are now part of StarTour family, which combine memorable riding experiences with unforgettable destinations. The 2011 series includes gran fondos in San Diego Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami, with more locations to be announced soon for 2012. "This event is a great opportunity to showcase the 'Italian Way of Life' in this part of the United States, fostering and promoting Italian excellences on the American market. A perfect conclusion of the “Dolce Vita” celebrations taking place in Beverly Hills that week," says Nicola Faganello, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles.

Gran Fondos (“Big Ride” in Italian), are long distance, mass-participation cycling events – not races – that are immensely popular in Italy. Participation is open to both recreational and competitive cyclists, and tens of thousands of riders of all abilities participate.

Sponsors of the event include Colnago, Alitalia, FSA, Campagnolo, Fulcrum, Gaerne, Speedplay, Cuore Italiano, Villa Sandi, the Italian Trade Commission, GU Energy, Il Borro and Castiglion del Bosco wineries (owned by the Ferragamo family), Prologo, Maxxis, Italy Bike Hotel, Il Palagetto winery, the Beverly Hilton and the Beverly Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Proceeds from the Gran Fondo Colnago Los Angeles will benefit Team Type 1, the organization funded by Phil Southerland that began as a grassroots initiative to motivate people to take control of their diabetes using cycling as a platform. It grew to become a world-class athletic program for athletes with diabetes, including a professional men's cycling team, poised to compete at the 2012 Tour de France.

For additional information, please visit www.granfondousa.com ."

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