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Thousands of riders expected for inaugural Marmotte Gran Fondo ÉcosseMarmotte Gran Fondo Ecosse.jpg

Thousands of riders expected for inaugural Marmotte Gran Fondo Écosse

Weekend of racing to take place in and around Kilmarnock
by Alex Bowden
Tue, Apr 05, 2016 15:58
8

Following the same weekend format as the Tour of Cambridge with which it is linked, Marmotte Gran Fondo Écosse will take place in Kilmarnock on September 24 and 25. The weekend begins with The Tour of Colour Fun Run on Friday, followed by a time trial on Saturday and then the gran fondo on Sunday – the latter two taking place on fully closed roads.

The 20km time trial will feature 600 riders while the 137km gran fondo will see up to 8,000 competitors tackling 1,535m of climbing in a route which passes through the scenic Ayrshire countryside. The 4km Tour of Colour Fun Run that precedes these events will take place around Kay Park at the event’s headquarters.

Like the time trial, the gran fondo will be electronically timed, but while riders can choose the option of a gridded start according to their race category, further back it is a non-competitive ride.

The entire weekend is supported by the Braveheart Cycling Fund, which supports young Scottish cycling talent. Tom Caldwell from organisers The Very Cool Events Company Ltd said:

“I am delighted to be able bring this iconic brand and event to such a beautiful part of the United Kingdom. The Tour of Cambridgeshire was such a success that it paved the way for us to have this event incorporated within the prestigious Marmotte Gran Fondo Series.

“I am also delighted to be working with the Braveheart Cycling Fund, helping to raise their profile and raise funds for such an incredible cause supporting young riders in Scotland. I look forward to seeing a fantastic race together with the legions of leisure and charity riders enjoying the beautiful countryside in and around Kilmarnock.”

Kilmarnock
Marmotte Gran Fondo Écosse
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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8 comments

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christerris | 8 years ago
0 likes

Is this instead of the Braveheart cycle?

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ianrobo | 8 years ago
2 likes

just 1500M of climbing, frankly for La Marmotte to have their name to this is embarassing 

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Vili Er replied to ianrobo | 8 years ago
2 likes

ianrobo wrote:

just 1500M of climbing, frankly for La Marmotte to have their name to this is embarassing 

 

Oh I know! Imagine! The thought of it! Think of the children etc. I hope you're off to write a stern letter to them on the lack of elevation in an amateur cycling event and how it's bringing shame to their name.

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timb27 replied to Vili Er | 8 years ago
0 likes

Bigringrider wrote:

ianrobo wrote:

just 1500M of climbing, frankly for La Marmotte to have their name to this is embarassing 

 

Oh I know! Imagine! The thought of it! Think of the children etc. I hope you're off to write a stern letter to them on the lack of elevation in an amateur cycling event and how it's bringing shame to their name.

 

However much you mock, I agree, to attach the Marmotte name to an event with less than a third of the climbing of the original devalues it in my opinion.

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HalfWheeler | 8 years ago
1 like

Gran Fondo Scozia would surely be more apt, not sure why they've got a mix of Italian and French in the same title.

Or, if they want to be more appropraite, why not "The Muckle Birl Aroon' Killie".

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Colin Peyresourde replied to HalfWheeler | 8 years ago
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HalfWheeler wrote:

Gran Fondo Scozia would surely be more apt, not sure why they've got a mix of Italian and French in the same title.

Or, if they want to be more appropraite, why not "The Muckle Birl Aroon' Killie".

Because they feel happy to appropriate Italian words, which is a common factor in many  languages. Gran Fondo is just their choice of word for a sportive, of sorts. They call the Marmotte a Gran Fondo too. Though I note that the owners of the Marmotte also own the 'New York Gran Fondo'. The US tend to use this phrase a lot too.

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HalfWheeler replied to Colin Peyresourde | 8 years ago
1 like

Colin Peyresourde wrote:

HalfWheeler wrote:

Gran Fondo Scozia would surely be more apt, not sure why they've got a mix of Italian and French in the same title.

Or, if they want to be more appropraite, why not "The Muckle Birl Aroon' Killie".

Because they feel happy to appropriate Italian words, which is a common factor in many  languages. Gran Fondo is just their choice of word for a sportive, of sorts. They call the Marmotte a Gran Fondo too. Though I note that the owners of the Marmotte also own the 'New York Gran Fondo'. The US tend to use this phrase a lot too.

The Gran Fondo bit is fine. It's the addition of the word Ecosse that makes it a bit odd. I know, it's French, as cyclists were all supposed to be Francophiles (even just a wee bit). 

Anyhoo, it was just an observation...

Avatar
Leviathan | 8 years ago
2 likes

Écosse is a small island off the French coast if you were wondering.

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