Worlds: Aussie amateurs set to tackle Gran Fondo 

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships isn’t just for the elite riders. More than 100 Aussies will be among the best amateurs in the world battling it out in Scotland for the rainbows in the Gran Fondo Road Race and Individual Time Trial.

For many, it is achievement in itself to qualify for the event. Riders must first finish in the top 25 per cent of their age category in a World Series event to qualify. In Australia there are two qualifying events – Amy’s Gran Fondo and the Tour de Brisbane.

Goals will vary from rider to rider. Some will be aiming for a podium or top-10 finish, some will be tackling their longest race ever, while many will be taking in the beautiful scenery and enjoying the experience.

There is no doubt all will relish the chance to wear the green and gold on the world stage.

GRAN FONDO

• 160.3km
• 1663m elevation
• Start Perth, Finish Scone Palace
• August 4

Men 19-59 and Women 19-49 will tackle the 160.3km Gran Fondo route, which starts in Perth, central Scotland, on the banks of the River Tay, about an hour north of Glasgow.

The first 46km is undulating terrain tending upwards, reaching a peak of 400 metres.

Riders will want to be in a good position at the top, as from there they take on a fast 6km descent, before the road flattens out for their next climb at the 61km mark.

It’s back down again after the 6km climb, followed by rolling roads for about 30km before another 5km climb. From there it will be a fast 60km to the finish line with a slightly downhill run to Scone Palace.

Aimee and Vincent Schouppe are lining up for their first world championships and will be among the nine riders from the Brisbane Cycling Club at the start line of the Gran Fondo.

“[We are] looking forward to the Scottish scenery and a test for longer race; this will be longest road race for us both,” Aimee said.

The husband and wife have been training together and separately since qualifying at the Tour de Brisbane, with Aimee’s goal to win the 35-39 age category, and Vincent aiming to stay with the front bunch.

Aimee and Vincent Schouppe riding between Annecy and Annemasse in France.

MEDIO FONDO

• 85.7km
• 777m elevation

• Start Perth, Finish Scone Palace
• August 4

Women 50+ and Men 60+ will tackle the shorter Medio Fondo route. The first 13km mirror that of the Gran Fondo before riders take a sharp right-hand turn at Buchanty. The course will then rejoin the Gran Fondo route for the final 20km back to Scone Palace.

Queensland’s Sarah Austin is lining up for her first worlds in the Medio Fondo as a 50-54 age category rider.

For her, taking to the start line has been a goal for a number of years.

“The courses look like they will challenge the majority of riders, and I’m looking forward to hopefully being able to take in some of the countryside as we cycle through it,” she said.

“Training has been focused around developing more strength and speed, and I have transitioned from triathlon to cycling to allocate one hundred per cent focus for the sport.  

“Riding alongside strong, passionate women cyclists will be a wonderful experience and I am looking to learn as much as possible from the experience, particularly against an experienced women’s field.

“Riders hoping to finish in the top 10 will need to stick to the front through the initial climbs and have a reasonable advantage for the downhill to Scone Castle as I think that will be a faster finish with plenty of opportunity for those with the legs to make up some lost ground through the climbs.”

INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL

• 22.8km
• 89m elevation
• Start and finish Dundee
• August 7

There are two words for the Individual Time Trial: flat and fast. The 22.8km out and back course starts in the seaside town of Dundee about two hours north-east from Glasgow. This one will be for the powerhouses with just 89m of elevation gain.

Picture: UCI

Western Australian Stuart Gee will ride both the time trial and the Medio Fondo. It is his second World Championships having raced the Gran Fondo in 2016 when it was held in Perth, WA. He is taking the event as an opportunity to have some fun – “a top 10 per cent of the field” would be a bonus, he says.

“I have not really been doing any special preparing. I just ride each day if I can, and am currently travelling in Europe and doing some riding there, before landing in Scotland,” Stuart said.

“A flat fast TT course does not suit me because I am relatively light and not powerful. [I] will try to keep my power output balanced. I am just using a non-aero road bike with standard spoked wheels and clip-on aero bars, so will not be at optimum setup. I'm just doing it all for fun.”

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