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The 15th GRAN FONDO CHARLY GAUL takes place from September 15 to 18, 2022 in Trento
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LA LEGGENDARIA CHARLY GAUL on the slopes of the Monte Bondone

On Monday, February 13, 2006, the first edition of the "Gran Fondo Charly Gaul" was presented in Luxemburg by the Tourist office of Trento, in collaboration with the ACC Contern and the Foundation "Friends of Charly Gaul". Klick here to know more about this evening in Cessange. Since then, the event has grown and from a hundred participants in the opening edition, in 2006, the number of contenders has extended to more than 1000 after the third edition already, in 2008.

The 15th edition of this Gran Fondo takes place from September 15 to 18 and counts as UCI Gran Fondo World Championships

La Leggendaria Charly Gaul Trento-Monte-Bondone

Around 40 riders from Luxemburg travelled with their supporters to Italy and participated on June 10, 2006, in the first edition of the cyclo-sport race Granfondo Charly Gaul in the region of Trento. The finish of the race was placed on top of the Monte Bondone summit, a climb that became famous in the whole world after an epic Giro d'Italia stage in 1956, 50 year before, won in dramatic weather conditions by our very own Charly Gaul. The event is now known as Leggendaria Charly Gaul Trento/Monte-Bondone and it has grown in a spectacular way: the 15th edition takes place from 15th to 18th of September 2022 and counts as UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.

Salita Charly Gaul

It isn't very easy to explain the Gran Fondo Charly Gaul in only a few lines. The event usually takes place in the middle of the summer, end of July or beginning of August, and is centered around the region of Trento and the Monte Bondone, as a tribute to the legendary performance of Charly Gaul in the epic stage of the Giro 1956 between Merano and the Monte Bondone. Cycling fans who want to spend a few entertaining hours in the middle of the nature shouldn't miss the occasion to pass a week-end or even more in this splendid region that seems especially designed for them with Gilberto Simoni and his Elite Bike School (www.bikeschooltrentino.net) being the most famous ambassador for the Monte Bondone.

Gilberto Simoni at the start of the Gran Fondo 2006
Gilberto Simoni at the start of the Gran Fondo 2006

The Gran Fondo Charly Gaul is an idea that came up in 2006 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary performance of Charly Gaul, when the Luxemburg climber arrived alone on top of the Monte Bondone 8 minutes ahead of the next chasers after a cold and wet day with rain and snow. The "Angel of the Mountain" could hardly get off his bike after the stage because of the cold, but he was on the way to take his first overall victory in the Giro d'Italia. The first edition of the Gran Fondo was thus held in 2006 and the event has become a lot bigger since then, with two courses available containing of course, the ascent of the road up to the Monte Bondone.

Steep slopes
Steep slopes

Naturally, the two courses are designed for experienced riders, they are technical and difficult, visiting the most picturesque places in the region of Trento, from the Piazza del Duomo in Trento to the numerous turns of the "Salita Charly Gaul" on the Monte Bondone, via the lakes and castles of the Valle dei Laghi or the famous village of Gamiga Terme.

The longest course of around 141 kilometers has a change of altitude of about 4.000 metres and tackles minimum two bigger climbs with, of course, the Monte Bondone, the famous climb that was part of the Giro d'Italia in 1956 and 2006. The other course of about 60 kilometres also includes up to 2000 metres of climbing, with the biggest part of it being on the final ascent up to Vason and the Monte Bondone.

Beautiful landscapes
Beautiful landscapes

The Gran Fondo Charly Gaul is part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, of the Alpe Adria Tour as well as of the two Challenges Ale et In Bici Top. It is open to membres of the Udace, the FCI and all other sports federations who can present a valid medical certification for sport. The event takes place in the middle of the summer and Trento and its region are ideal destinations to escape the heat. There are a lot of interesting touristic offers (www.apt.trento.it) to be found here. Some specific attractions are organized in relation with the Gran Fondo, for the riders and their supporters.

For more detailed information, please have a look at the internet sites www.laleggendariacharlygaul.it et www.apt.trento.it
Photos: Trento Tourist Office

Charly Gaul in 1956 on the Monte Bondone

INFORMATIONS FOR 2019

ARCHIVES

QUELQUES PHOTOS (2008)


Gran Fondo Internationale Charly Gaul 2008 - Photo: APT Trento Gran Fondo Internationale Charly Gaul 2008 - Photo: Dam Photos Gilberto Simoni with Antonio Corradini (winner over 125 km) - Photo: Dam Photos Eugène Stirn of the ACC Contern with Gilberto Simoni and some members of the organization - Photo: APT Trento Eugène Stirn hands out a winner trophy to former Olympic champion Paola Pezzo - Photo: APT Trento Gilberto Simoni with the winners of the Gran Fondo Internationale Charly Gaul 2008 - Photo: APT Trento



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