USA Cycling to sanction Gran Fondo New York

USA Cycling today announced it will sanction the Gran Fondo New York. Scheduled for May 15, the sixth annual Gran Fondo New York will be sanctioned under a new permitting level designed by USA Cycling to serve the specific needs of road cycling events like gran fondos and gravel grinders.

"During a conversation with [USA Cycling’s CEO] Derek Bouchard-Hall on anti-doping, he asked why the Gran Fondo New York Championship race was not permitted by USA Cycling," said GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme in a statement released with today’s announcement.

"It came as a surprise to him that it was because of USA Cycling’s rules,” Fluhme said. “Derek understands the value of events like ours for the sport and made sure the rules would be amended accordingly. I'm impressed how quickly the changes were implemented and I greatly appreciate the support and agility while on-boarding GFNY.”

The new level of permitting comes in addition to USA Cycling’s permitting of competitive and recreational events. The new permitting level offers a unique set of rules and pricing that is specific to this fast-growing event format.

“We are thrilled that the Gran Fondo New York, one of the best cycling events in America, has chosen to sanction with USA Cycling,” Bouchard-Hall said. “We are actively seeking to support great events like these – be they gran fondos, gravel grinders, or sportives – and to have one of the very best choose to partner with us demonstrates the value we can bring to event promoters and their participants. I’m so pleased, in fact, that I intend to be on the start line of the GFNY this year.”

And came away with, huh? Okay, whatever. I mean I get that USA Cycling wants a piece of Grand Fondo pie, but what does Uli get out of it? Do Fondo riders care? And what was "the rule" that that prevented previous sanctioning?

Jules said:

This is one of the stupidest things I've heard in a long time. All this does is increase the size of the insurance risk pool for USAC and possibly (!) lower their premiums. What now, upgrade points?

David Yang said:

So does that mean ex-pro dopers banned from competing (participating?) in USAC events can no longer be celebrity guest riders?

Velon Announce Game Changing 10 Year Agreement With Infront Sports & Media

The agreement will result in the ability for bikes to carry the necessary technology to live stream performance data and video to feed into the broadcasters’ coverage.

http://www.omnigon.com/news/velon-announce-game-changing-10-year-agreement-infront-sports-media

THE COLOUR OF THE CLASSICS

made it seem not so silly that a group of women in their late 20s were going to bed early on Friday nights so they could ride their bikes around in circles early Saturday mornings. It made us feel that in some small way, what we were doing for ourselves was important.

The Hour Record Doesn’t Matter. Evie Does.

David Yang said:

Dan, does that mean you'll be getting rid of your slightly terrifying (but genuinely intriguing) beard?

... Several minutes pass before my ragged breathing phases into a vigorous rhythm. The magnitude of what I have accomplished scratches at my conscience. The thought is pushed aside when I feel the effects of my effort. Bile rises in my throat.

I swallow hard and taste acid.

http://www.stinnerframeworks.com/blogs/freedom-project/112740996-alexis-ryan-choosing-who-i-will-become

(also cool, worth mention, she writes this for Stinner's blog, altho she is obviously riding a canyon)

Jules said:

What a whiny little brat

http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/03/news/nibali-lawyers-mean-tweets_398626