At the Schleck Gran Fondo, the advertising drum is stirred
On the day of the Schleck Gran Fondo, Mondorf bursts at the seams. So also on Saturday. The eighth edition attracted around 3,300 participants.
The race race has become a magnet for ambitious recreational athletes. But the numerous spectators also ensured that the event, which was booked up to the last starting position, again became a festival and a full success.
The weather played at least with the fastest. The sun struggled through the cloud cover in the morning. Before the rain showers used, many of the participants were already at the finish line and were able to fortify themselves in the generously designed village.
Schleck Gran Fondo overshadowed by death
At 9.30 a.m. the participants of the Gran Fondo (159 km) went on the track, 45 minutes later that followed the Medio Fondo (87 km). Some prominent faces were at the start: Fränk Schleck, Andy SchleckJempy printer and Jeff Strasser were all there and did not miss the opportunity to explore the Moselle region and the east of the country. The many starters from abroad were able to convince themselves of the beauty of the country on a great route. The nation-branding advertising drum worked splendidly.
Even though the victory does not enjoy a top priority in a Gran Fondo, there was still a few top ratings to report from a Luxembourg perspective. Over the 87 km route there was a decision in the triple sprint on the last few meters. The Belgian Niels Vreys (2,18’34 ») won in front of the two Luxembourgers Chris Johanns and Nic Zeimet. The best woman over the shorter route was the Dutchman Anouk de Jong (2.24’38 ») as 28th of the Medio Fondo.
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Belgians ran over the longer route in the first seven places. John-Ross Clauw (4,03’44 ») had the most reserves in the sprint and won ahead of Cedric Raymackers and Andreas Derweduden. The fastest woman was the German Nadine Heck (4,25,28 ») in 175.
The event on Saturday was part of the UCI Gran Fondo Circuit. The participants were able to qualify for the Gran Fondo World Cup, which takes place in Aalborg (DK) in September. The best 25 percent of their age group solved their ticket for the World Cup.
