Cyclists including Nathaniel Parish Flannery (middle) ride toward the finish line at the 2022 Izzi … [+] Photo courtesy of Izzi Kardias One of the best amateur cycling events in Mexico is the Izzi Kardias Gran Fondo which takes place on a closed section of highway in Mexico State, though the countryside outside of Mexico City. At the October 16 2022 race, the American, ex-pro rider Lance Armstrong joined the competitive group of elite cyclists at the starting line. The fastest rider competing in the 80k “medio fondo” event completed the course in just under two hours and four minutes. The first-place rider in the 130k gran fondo event arrived at the finish line in just over three and half hours. In total 1,269 cyclists competed in the 80k event and 854 riders competed in the 130k distance.
Alan Huber, the CEO of the People for Bikes chain of stores says, “it’s a very cool event. You have everything, good pavement, good climbs, good flats, good descents. It’s an excellent event.”
The Izzi Kardias race is part of a collection of well-organized amateur cycling events in Mexico including the Cycling Series held on Mexico’s Formula 1 track, the Tour de France L’Etape series, the GFNY series, and the Grupo Guepardos Gran Fondo Paso de Cortes. While many bike shops in Mexico City including Vatio, People For Bikes, and the Distrito Fijo Cycling Club organize weekly rides to Los Dinamos, Desierto de Los Leones, and Ajusco, many of the bigger gran fondo […]
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