2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Aalborg - Team Australia
29th August – 1st September 2024
AusCycling and Sportive Breaks
AusCycling is proud to partner again with Sportive Breaks to create a range of travel experiences to the UCI Cycling World Championships. Together this year in Aalborg we are offering a travel package in support of all qualifiers.
Come together to travel and ride with Team Australia. Enjoy a supported experience and the opportunity to get out on the bike with like-minded people before racing for the rainbow jersey!
2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Aalborg, Denmark
The biggest sportive cycling event of the year. The 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships take place in Aalborg, Denmark between 29 August and 1 September 2024.
Sportive Breaks Tour dates:
- 4-night Gran Fondo Weekend Package – Thursday 29th August to Monday 2nd September
- 6-night Time Trial & Gran Fondo Package – Tuesday 27th August to Monday 2nd September
The Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo take place on Sunday 1 September. The Time Trial takes place on Thursday 29 August. The event sees riders from around the world compete for the Rainbow Jersey in the Time Trial and Gran Fondo Road Race. This event is the pinnacle of amateur Gran Fondo racing. To qualify, enter one of the events that’s part of the 2023 and 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Series and all you have to do is finish in the top 25% of your age group. Qualifying is not as hard as you think so give it a go and represent your country in 2024!
2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Aalborg schedule
- Thursday 29 August – UCI Gran Fondo Individual Time Trial
- Friday 30 August 2024 – Team Relay (non-competitive)
- Sunday 1 September 2024 – 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships – Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo
What is the experience with Sportive Breaks like? Find out from Team Australia 2023!
Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking.
Book with a trusted travel partner. For years Sportive Breaks has partnered with the UCI Gran Fondo events, we under the event and the requirements of the riders.
Chef de Mission: Our Chef de Mission is Rowland Summerlin, Race Director of the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth. Benefit from his wealth of experience.
Choice of hotels: We offer the best choice of hotels for every budget close to the start and finish.
Cycling services: As well as hotels, we will also offer mechanic services, transport, bike rental and guided rides on the course.
Team Dinner: Included in your package is a team dinner on Thursday evening.
What's Included?
Accommodation
Team Hotel in Aalborg
Included Meals
Breakfast included and team dinner on Thursday evening
Guided Warm Up Rides
Recon of full ITT course and highlights of Gran Fondo course
Mechanic
Mechanics available throughout your stay
Chef de Mission
Experienced Chef de Mission Rowland Summerlin has a wealth of experience for you to benefit from
Packages and Prices
Join us in Aalborg for the 2024 Gran Fondo World Championships. We have two packages to choose from depending on what you have qualified for. We will have mechanics and support staff to assist you during your trip along with our Chef du Mission Rowland Summerlin.
Prices for the 4 Night Gran Fondo tour
- $1,745 per person based on two people sharing a twin (2 single beds)
- $2,429 based on a single occupancy of a room.
Prices for the 6 Night TT and Gran Fondo tour
- $2,115 per person based on two people sharing a twin (2 single beds)
- $3,165 based on a single occupancy of a room.
Included with your weekend
- Stay at the Kompas hotel in the centre of Aalborg
- Daily breakfasts
- All taxes are included
- Team meal on Thursday evening
- The services of our bike guide and bike mechanic
- Guided rides
- Chef du Mission – Rowland Summerlin
Itineraries
4-Night Gran Fondo Itinerary
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at the hotel in Aalborg today, or make use of our airport transfers. We provide a regular service from Aalborg Airport. We will welcome you at the airport and your coach will be waiting outside the terminal. We will also transport your bike in its box or bag.
Upon arrival to the hotel our expert staff will be available today to greet you upon arrival. A mechanic will be on-site to assist you in any troubles you may encounter assembling your bike after the journey!
Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to explore the town and complete your registration at Gl. Square in Aalborg.
This evening, we will host a group dinner to say g’day and give you the opportunity to meet all your fellow Team Australia riders before getting out on the bike together tomorrow.
After breakfast, we will take you on a short supported, guided ride to test your bike and shake off some jetlag.
We’ll be back at the hotel in plenty of time for you to rest and enjoy the day in Aalborg, staff will be available to assist you with any bike adjustments, advice on where to ride to get some extra km’s in or just some ideas for dinner!
Today is set aside for rest the day before Rest day, where activities are organised on Gammel Torv in Aalborg for the many participants and the local community.
After breakfast, please ensure that you register for tomorrow’s event. We also offer a guided ride on the Gran Fondo route.
Guided Ride
Main Route: max 30km
After breakfast and any final bike adjustments, we will take you on a supported, guided ride exploring the Gran Fondo course. A short coffee spin has been organised to keep your legs moving, but nothing too strenuous the day before the sportive.
After the ride, please make your way to the event expo in to collect your race pack and attend the technical briefing for tomorrow’s Gran Fondo.
Event Registration
- 09.00 – 18.00 Registration and collection of race packs
- 14.00 – 15.00 – Technical briefing for Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo
Today is the day! We have an early start this morning. Early breakfasts are arranged in the hotel restaurant.
Getting To The Start
Our staff will be on hand this morning if you have any last-minute mechanical issues, or if you need directions to the start line.
Provisional itinerary
- 10.00 – 16.30 Gran Fondo
- 10.30 – Medio Fondo races
- 16.00 – 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Podium ceremonies
Departure day. We are running airport transfers back on Monday to Aalborg airport.
6-Night Time Trial & Gran Fondo Itinerary
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at your chosen hotel in Aalborg today or make use of our airport transfers. We provide a regular service from Aalborg Airport. We will welcome you at the airport and your coach will be waiting outside the terminal. We will also transport your bike in its box or bag.
Transport of Bike Boxes
If you are travelling with a bike box or bag, then we offer transportation at $40 per bike per journey. Please book this in advance to ensure that there is space on our vehicle.
What about my bike?
You can bring your own bike as bikes can be safely stored at the hotel. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with fitting your rental bike or building your own bike after travel.
Opening event and registration at Gl. Square in Aalborg.
After breakfast, our team will lead you on a short, guided ride of the Time Trial course. You can also register for tomorrow’s event and collect your race pack and attend the official riders briefing.
Single start with start and finish just outside the university – Gammel Hasseris Skole (Individual Time Trial).
Denmark is notorious for a wind so it is likely that you will have a head wind as you start the course but a tailwind on the return to the finish line. The course is very similar to the one used for the National Championships is 2022 and 2023. The route is flat with a short climb after 6km.
After breakfast, please make your way over to the Time Trial start. We offer private warm up areas to get ready for your slot.
This afternoon the podium ceremonies take place in Aalborg.
Team Relay with start and finish at Nytorv.
The team relay is a non-competitive event where mixed teams challenge for the title. No rainbow Jerseys are awarded for this event.
Rest day, where activities are organised on Gammel Torv in Aalborg for the many participants and the local community.
After breakfast, please ensure that you register for tomorrow’s event. We also offer a guided ride on the Gran Fondo route.
Guided Ride
Main Route: max 30km
After breakfast and any final bike adjustments, we will take you on a supported, guided ride exploring the Gran Fondo course. A short coffee spin has been organised to keep your legs moving, but nothing too strenuous the day before the sportive.
After the ride, please make your way to the event expo in to collect your race pack and attend the technical briefing for tomorrow’s Gran Fondo.
Event Registration
- 09.00 – 18.00 Registration and collection of race packs
- 14.00 – 15.00 – Technical briefing for Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo
Today is the day! We have an early start this morning. Early breakfasts are arranged in the hotel restaurant.
Getting To The Start
Our staff will be on hand this morning if you have any last-minute mechanical issues, or if you need directions to the start line.
Provisional itinerary
- 10.00 – 16.30 Gran Fondo
- 10.30 – Medio Fondo races
- 16.00 – 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Podium ceremonies
Departure day. We are running airport transfers back on Monday to Aalborg airport.
More About the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Sportive Breaks and the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
Sportive Breaks were the official travel partner for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth, Scotland. Sportive Breaks will provide travel and support packages to qualified riders for the 2024 edition in Aalborg. Our host will be experienced race director Rowland Summerlin. Rowland was the race director for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo Worlds in Perth and for the now defunct Tour of Cambridgeshire. He is currently the race director for UCI Gravel World Series event the Gralloch and experienced as ‘Chef de Mission’ for Team GB age group world championships. Rowland will again fulfil this role for Sportive Breaks in Aalborg and also in Leuven for the 2024 UCI Gravel World Championships. In Aalborg Rowland is on hand to answer all questions you may have on the world championships.
The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships took place on Friday 4th August. As part of the Super Cycling World Championships in Scotland there was also the opportunity for amateur cyclists to become world champions and wear the Rainbow Jersey for a year. Two days before the Elite Men who took to the roads of Edinburgh and Glasgow on Sunday 6th August it was the turn of the amateurs in Perth.
Sportive Breaks welcomed 300 riders in Perth who stayed at several hotels in and around Perth.
Throughout 2022 and 2023 amateur riders had the opportunity to qualify for the World Champs in Perth by qualifying in the top 25% of their age group at a series of qualifier events worldwide. Former Olympic champion Aleksandr Vinokourov won gold in the men aged 50 to 54, while 64-year-old French cycling legend Jeannie Longo took silver in the women’s race.
Vinokourov who is the general manager of Mark Cavendish’ current team Astana Qazaqstan wasn’t the only team boss who won gold. Sportive Breaks client Sylvan Adams of team Israel-Premier Tech was victorious in the 65 – 69 age category. Former Dutch Pro rider Johnny Hoogerland of 2011 Tour de France barbed wire fame also won his age group.
2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
The 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships will take place in Aalborg, Denmark. The event brings together qualifying cyclists from all over the world. The winner in each age group will have the honour of wearing the coveted rainbow jersey for a year as official UCI Gran Fondo world champion.
Launched in 2011, the UCI Gran Fondo World Series (formerly known as the UCI World Cycling Tour) is a series of UCI-sanctioned road races held all over the world. Throughout the 2022-2023 season, a series of events will qualify the top 25% in each age group for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. The age group winners of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships are awarded the UCI rainbow jersey. The qualifier events are open to riders of all levels: those who aim to make the podium and others who wish to cross the finish line in the best possible time. For more information: http://www.ucigranfondoworldseries.com/
Who can take part?
Each UCI Gran Fondo World Series event of the 2023-2024 seasons grants qualification rights for the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. Events Calendar available here. Based on the results of each race, the first 20% of athletes in each age group will be qualified for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. The 20% is calculated based on the number of starters in each age group, and not on the number of riders having finished the race. In addition, the first three riders of each official age category will qualify directly for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, independently of the number of starters in that age group. Riders must finish the race to gain qualification.
Jersey is obligatory
It is mandatory for a rider to wear their national kit at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Time Trial, Team Relay and Road Race. Although the official national jersey is not required, a jersey representing their country with a similar design and colours as the original national team jersey is required. Private or club sponsors are allowed to be featured on the national jersey.
How to Travel to Aalborg
Aalborg is the capital of North Jutland, and in a league of its own. A pocket-size city, with its own unique atmosphere and something for everyone. Museums, cultural monuments, and historic buildings. World-class architecture, zoo, art, and gastronomy in abundance. And that’s in addition to great shopping, cobbled, picturesque streets, the relaxing Fjord Park, and an inviting, bustling harbour front.
BY PLANE
Aalborg Airport is Denmark’s third largest airport. The airport is situated only 6 km from the centre of Aalborg.
Aalborg Airport is a very busy airport with both domestic and international flights every day. You can see more about the flights on Aalborg Airport’s homepage…
https://www.aal.dk/passenger
You can rent a car at Aalborg Airport at one of the car rental services – Avis, Hertz, Europcar and Sixt.
Copenhagen Airport is perfectly located for a visit to Copenhagen or Sealand. Under fifteen minutes by metro or train into the centre of the city, the airport is ideally placed for those wanting to visit the capital. It also regularly wins awards as one of Europe’s best airports. Check out the Copenhagen Airport website for flight information as well as disability access and other facilities.
Billund airport is ideally located for trips to Jutland and has several international flight routes. It is also the perfect place to fly to visit the LEGOLAND® Billund Resort! And if you’re heading further north, Aarhus airport and Aalborg airport are even closer to Skagen and all the top attractions in Northern Sealand.
Check out the full list of airports here.
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Aalborg by train
The train journey time between Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and Aalborg is around 4h 38m and covers around 295 miles. Operated by Danish Railways (DSB), the Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Aalborg train service departs from CPH Lufthavn and arrives in Aalborg St.. Typically 97 trains run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. DSB Train | Discover Denmark by train
BY TRAIN
It is possible to reach Denmark by train, either by taking the train from Sweden (sj.se) or by taking the train from Germany (www.bahn.de). There are direct trains from Hamburg (4 hours 40 minutes) and from Stockholm (5 hours 30 minutes, with overnight sleeper options). For more information on international train routes, visit
www.seat61.com
European citizens can buy a single country InterRail Denmark Pass offering unlimited train journeys up to 8 days a month; Denmark is also included in the InterRail Global Pass that allows access to train routes in 33 European countries, making a multi-stop Scandinavian trip easy. The Eurail Denmark Pass offers similar options for non-European citizens.
BY FERRY
Several major tour operators run ferry and cruise services to Denmark from other major European destinations, including Scandlines, Color Line, Fjord Line and Stena Line. DFDS operates a two-night cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo with overnight travel to Oslo, a day (6.5 hours) in the city and overnight travel back, among other routes.
BY CAR
Driving distance between Copenhagen and Aalborg is 413 km. It takes approximately 4 hours to drive from Copenhagen to Aalborg.
Coach lines:
Multiple coach operators have routes into Copenhagen, including Eurolines Germany, FlixBus and Swebus. Direct routes include Berlin to Copenhagen (approximately 9 hours) and Amsterdam to Copenhagen (approximately 13 hours).
Strava Routes for the Gran Fondo, ITT and Medio Fondo
2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
BOOK NOW
Sportive Breaks are part of the Destination Sport Experiences Group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please do contact our team hello@sportivebreaks.com.au
